Blog Series Part 1-Pro Spotlight: Celebrating National Real Estate Day with Rosie the Realtor

At Open Meadow Builders, we know that the journey to a dream home often starts long before the first hammer swings. It begins with finding the right location, the place with the strong "bones", and a partner who understands the true value of a property.

In honor of National Real Estate Day, we sat down with Rosie Discipio (also known as Rosie the Realtor), a real estate veteran who knows our industry from the inside out. With 20 years of experience, including a background in construction management, she understands the logistics and coordination that go into finding and creating a dream home. Today, she’s sharing her insights on navigating the North Shore market, the must-have features that are driving buyer demand, and why transparency is the most important tool in any real estate transaction.

Tell us about your realtor journey (how long, what brought you here, etc.)

I've been in real estate for just about 20 years and I became a licensed agent after being laid off from a construction management position in 2010. It may be shocking, but I did not want to do real estate. I didn't like it at all, but I needed to be home with the kids and have flexibility for work. The first two years I was in real estate were after 2008, that's when the real estate market had collapsed. It was very difficult to navigate through people losing their homes. It was not an enjoyable time in the industry, but I quickly realized that I could be of service to people, even if it was not the most positive experience.

How would you describe the current local housing market? Is it a buyer’s market, a seller’s market, or something in between, and what does that mean for the average homeowner?

So the question I get everywhere I go is, “How's the market?” It’s truly dependent on the house, the town, and the location of the property. We're still seeing multiple offers on some houses, but others are not and are spending a little bit of time on the market.

The real estate market in New England is, not surprisingly, dependent on the weather. Typically, the spring is a seller's market, and the fall tends to lean more towards a buyer's market.  

Real estate is always an investment, so it just depends on what your goals are. If you're looking to live in a property for two years, the return on your investment is not as high as if you're looking to be in the property five years or more, when you're more likely to earn equity and make a profit on your home.

How do you define a successful outcome for your clients in a real estate transaction?

A successful outcome happens when my clients have achieved the goal they have set for their move. Sometimes that goal changes during the process; they may have to make adjustments, and my job is to meet them at every step. At the end of the day, a successful transaction means they have a house that works for them, their family, and their situation, and with a price that works for their budget. On the sale side, most sellers want to earn a profit on their home, whether to put the equity into another purchase or use it for other means. It is not always possible to “make money” on your home, but my goal is always to try for a profit and, at the very least, make the sale as smooth as possible. So success is really based on the client and what they feel is their win.

What are your top 3 tips for a homeowner who wants to make sure the realtor they hire is a good fit?

Interview more than one, even if you know somebody in real estate, or you have a relative in real estate, make sure that they are a full-time agent, and that they're fully committed to your needs, timeline, and goals. Read their reviews. They may not be posted online, but ask for their reviews. You should ensure that their standards align with or exceed yours.

You should ask if they have a plan to help you succeed. If your goal is to sell and buy at the same time, what is their plan and pace to help you achieve that goal for you? If your plan is just to sell and it's for the most money, are you being educated on the best time and ways to sell? What are they doing for marketing? You need to look at their full picture, not just the paperwork that they bring, and not just the price they present, because sometimes the price is not the only thing you can do to get the most money for your home.  What is their plan for your property and your endgame?

At the end of the day, do you feel like you can trust them to help you achieve what you are looking to do? This is a huge piece. Prices can fluctuate, marketing can be elevated, but do you feel confident that this is the person who will deliver?

Are there any common, unexpected costs that often surprise buyers or sellers?

Yes. Closing costs vary based on property and taxes, mortgage payoffs, attorney fees, and other things. Sometimes those are surprising to even a seller who doesn't realize that they have to pay a certain amount of closing fees. I use a net sheet to spell that all out, so we try to eliminate any surprises. Sometimes, if you're a seller and you have a buyer who completes a home inspection, that can be a cost if they find something unexpectedly wrong with your property.

As a buyer, moving forward, I suggest you know your closing costs as best you can estimate. You are paying for insurance and taxes up front when you go to close. If you're buying down points or trying to include other fees in your closing costs, you need to make sure that your lender is spelling out every dollar amount for you so that you're not surprised when you get to the closing table. Buyers also pay for their own inspection; that cost does not include testing water, radon, lead paint, or other things outside of the general structure. Another thing for buyers to remember is that fuel is personal property, and you are actually buying it from the seller if there is oil or propane in the tank. You need to ask for that to be read ahead of time for closing, so it ends up on the closing disclosure, or be prepared with your checkbook at closing to pay for it.

How important is curb appeal, and what is the biggest curb appeal mistake you see sellers make?

Curb appeal in New England is seasonal, just like the market is seasonal. Curb appeal after mid-May is incredibly important to a property. You'll need to remove debris from your yard, and either plant or maintain fresh flowers. And in the fall, remove leaves and have autumnal plants placed. In the wintertime, plants and lawns are not so important. However, we deal with a lot of snow, so you still need to make sure the walkways are shoveled and that they are clear of ice and debris. Because we have a lack of property in the late winter months, January, February, and even early March (when it still snows in New England), that is the time when curb appeal really doesn't matter.

Are there any specific home features or rooms that used to be extras but are current must-haves for the majority of buyers?

​​A majority of buyers are looking for a primary bathroom attached to the primary bedroom. It has been a big thing to have a suite with a large closet and bathroom attached to the primary bedroom. People are also looking for mudrooms- mudrooms have been in high demand for a few years now, or at least a space where there is a catch-all for jackets, shoes, and winter gear. Another big thing is a first-floor half bathroom for guests, because they don't want people in their sleeping space.

How much of a difference does staging make in selling a home?

It really depends on the property. Often, we can stage with the homeowner's own furniture by removing certain pieces or adding statement decor. The most basic form of staging is removing all personal photos and items, cleaning kitchen counters, and cleaning floor space. If the house is vacant, we can virtually stage it, but furniture always makes it stand out. As long as it is clean, quality furniture you're using, we can do a lot with your own items. A clear and clean space is ideal- like you're ready to move, but you still live there.

What advice do you give buyers to help them feel confident about their purchase, and avoid buyer’s remorse?

Does it feel right? Do you walk into the house and feel like it's home? Some people are purchasing because they have to… They're in a rental they need to get out of, their family is growing too big, and they're in the house because this is a short-term plan for them. But for the most part, when you're buying to live there, you want to feel comfortable in the house. You really just want to feel like the house is a home, or that you can make it your own, and that's different for every buyer.

You also want to be mindful of the payment. Is this payment comfortable for the long term? Or until the rates drop and you can refinance? Is it a comfortable payment if you need to repair something in the home? Or do you have a big financial shift?

Often, the remorse has come from waiving an inspection and having something big happen with the house. We are not seeing this now with the new home inspection law.

Anything else you want homeowners to know about working with you or another realtor?

Just make sure you trust and align with your real estate agent. Make sure that you have a level of trust with your agent that makes you feel comfortable. They might come with a lot of glowing reviews, but if you don't feel like you can trust them, you're not going to have a good experience. Don't feel pressured to do what everyone else is doing. You should feel confident moving forward with your agent. You need to have that sense that they are working for you towards your goals, not their own.  I take the time in my appointments with clients to make sure they understand the process of buying and selling a home. People are hiring me to perform a service that deals with the most money most people will ever spend. I take care to educate the potential client and answer questions until they are comfortable trusting me with their business.

Whether you are looking for a property with renovation potential or preparing to sell a home you’ve carefully maintained, having a realtor who respects the process is invaluable. Her focus mirrors our own philosophy here at Open Meadow Builders: we believe that when homeowners are empowered with the right information, they can make decisions that serve their families for years to come.

Ready to take the next step?

Most homeowners eventually reaches a point where they have to decide the best path forward for their family and their future. Whether you are looking to relocate or ready to renovate, we have the experts ready to help:

• If you’re ready to relocate: Reach out to Rosie to find your dream home or to get your current home market-ready.

  
  

• If you’re ready to renovate: Contact the team at Open Meadow Builders. We specialize in the design-build process and would love to help you transform your current space into the home of your dreams.