A Note From Lisa

The last couple of weeks have been full — which probably doesn't surprise anyone who knows me. I tell myself I'm going to slow down, but the truth is… I don't think I'm wired that way. I've always got a project going, a plan forming, or an idea I'm chasing down.

And let's be honest — my dogs fully expect to maintain the lifestyle they've grown very accustomed to, so somebody has to keep things moving around here.

Busy or not, I'm grateful to do the things I love — helping people, creating, planning, dreaming — and sharing little pieces of it with you each month.

Coming Up: Something Fun at Revercomb Farms

I've got something new on my calendar, and this one makes me laugh a little every time I think about it. My daughter Mindy — who owns Revercomb Farms — usually runs a full schedule of community workshops. She stays just as busy as I do, which is probably genetic at this point.

Well, she and her husband Bobby are heading out of town on a weekend when she already had a workshop planned… and she handed the reins right to me.

So yes, I'll be teaching a tea towel painting class.
Never painted a tea towel in my life — not once — but that didn't stop me from immediately going into full planning mode. Before she finished her sentence, I had Pinterest open, supply lists started, and stencils downloading.

Mindy very gently reminded me, "Mom… these workshops are supposed to be simple and family-affordable."
Translation: 'We both know how you get with projects… rein it in.'"

So I scaled it back… just a little.

We've landed on a project that's easy, fun, and won't require a second mortgage in craft supplies. I'll share the details soon — including the date and maybe a sneak peek once I practice and see if I'm actually any good at this.

Real Estate Insight: Lenders, Appraisals, Last-Minute Stress… and a Fever Blister

The past few months have handed me one of the most complicated transactions I've dealt with in a long time. And before I say anything else, let me be clear — I have wonderful clients. Truly. They've handled every twist with patience and grace, and I couldn't ask for better people to walk through this with.

Everything started smoothly… until it didn't.
We went through three lenders, multiple loan programs, and three appraisals — each time thinking we were finally on track, only to be met with another surprise that should have been caught weeks earlier.

One lender refused to lend on Agricultural zoning (which almost every property in the county sits on). Another approved the buyers, only to later discover a rule that made their loan impossible. And somewhere between lender #2 and lender #3, I earned the fever blister that I'm still trying to get rid of.

Through it all, the buyers stayed committed, the sellers stayed patient, and I kept following up, pushing forward, and trying to hold all the moving pieces together — no matter how many pieces there were.

This was one of those moments in real estate where you have to make a choice.
You can panic, lose your cool, and let the chaos run the show — or you can take a breath, stay focused, and keep making steady, clear decisions based on what's truly best for your clients. I chose the second path (with a few deep breaths along the way). Keeping calm and staying centered is what gets everyone through a transaction like this.

And how does this story end?
I'll share the final chapter in my next newsletter.

Lesson: Real estate isn't always smooth sailing, but with the right preparation, the right questions, and the right team, you can get through the surprises without losing hope — or your sanity.

Local Holiday Events – December

Here are a few festive happenings around Elkton and Rockingham County:

• Town of Elkton – Old Town Christmas & Tree Lighting — December 6

• Harrisonburg Holiday Parade — December 6

• Rockingham County Fairgrounds Christmas Village — December 20–21

• Bridgewater Christmas Parade — December 7

These are just a few highlights; check local pages for more events throughout the season.

Last Month's Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Barbie-Kenney Snuffin, the winner of our last giveaway!
Thank you to everyone who entered.

A Little Holiday Reminder

As we enjoy the season, it's also a good time to remember those in our community who could use a little extra support. Consider adopting an Angel Tree child, dropping a few dollars in a Salvation Army kettle, or delivering a warm meal to a family that may be struggling.

And let's not forget the older folks in local residential homes — many don't have family nearby and may not receive anything at all for the holidays. A small card, a simple gift, or a visit can mean more than you know.

Small gestures make a big difference this time of year.

Your Referrals Mean the World

If you have a friend, family member, or coworker who's thinking about buying or selling, I'd be honored to help them.
Your referrals are truly the heart of my business and the greatest compliment you can give.

Thank you for trusting me — and for sharing my name with the people you care about.