Mini Farm and Decor LLC

05/29/2026

You can't really tell with the beautiful sunlight coming in, but a few days ago I added these stunning curtains to a clients home. She was nervous but trusted me! And the result are 😍.

05/28/2026

Yesterday was such a great day! I spent the day picking out materials for a new build, and it reminded me just how many decisions go into building a home.

If you need someone to help you make the biggest impact while staying within your budget, give me a call — I’d love to help! Don’t make all these big choices without support ❤️

05/26/2026

Check out this adorable chicken coop my son just built for me! A cozy one-bedroom with stunning views… unfortunately, not for sale 😂
I will be painting soon to match our house.

We are officially parents with no kids left in school. Bren just graduated high school and is planning to join the plumbers union this summer. Maybe if I’m lucky, someday we’ll be building and selling houses together!

05/25/2026

The top 3 reasons houses sit on the market 💥😳💥

Overpriced
Buyers compare your house to every other listing online in seconds. If it is priced too high, buyers move on.

Condition
Deferred maintenance, outdated finishes, strong odors, clutter, or obvious repair issues can make buyers hesitant before they ever make an offer.

Weak Marketing
A sign in the yard is not enough anymore. If your home is not being marketed properly online and on social media, fewer buyers see it.

The market always talks. 🗣
If showings are low and offers are nonexistent, buyers are telling you something.
If you are looking for a hands on REALTOR®️ to help you get your home SOLD, reach out!

Rachel Streit
📱815 757 3432
📧 [email protected]
The Real Brokerage LLC

05/22/2026

Why is it not good to go into a real estate contracts knowing you will use the inspection to get the price lower and what you want to pay.

Going into a real estate contract planning to use the inspection strictly as a way to renegotiate the price is usually a bad strategy for several reasons:

Sellers can see through it.
Most experienced sellers and agents know the difference between legitimate inspection issues and buyers trying to reopen negotiations after already agreeing on a price. It can damage trust fast.

You risk losing the house.
Sellers are not required to give credits or lower the price just because you ask. If they feel manipulated, they may refuse repairs, refuse concessions, or let the deal fall apart and move to another buyer.

Inspections are meant for condition issues, not buyer remorse.
The purpose of an inspection contingency is to uncover unknown defects, safety concerns, or expensive problems — not to renegotiate simply because you want a better deal afterward.

It weakens your offer in competitive markets.
Sellers prefer buyers who negotiate honestly upfront. If your reputation becomes “they’ll just beat us up after inspection,” your offer may lose against cleaner offers even if yours is higher.

Small issues become bigger conflicts.
Every house has imperfections. If buyers start demanding credits for every loose doorknob or aging appliance, negotiations become emotional instead of practical.

You may spend money and still lose the deal.
Inspections cost money. If your whole strategy is based on getting a price reduction and the seller refuses, you could walk away after spending hundreds of dollars with nothing to show for it.

Appraisals and market value still matter.
Sellers usually already know roughly what their home is worth. Buyers know too. Trying to force a dramatic reduction over minor findings rarely works unless the inspection uncovers major hidden problems.

It can backfire legally and ethically.
In some situations, if a buyer acts in bad faith during inspections, it can create disputes over earnest money or contractual obligations.

The best approach is:

Negotiate the best price you can upfront.

Use inspections for legitimate discoveries that materially affect value, safety, or livability.

Focus repair requests on major items: structural issues, roof problems, HVAC failure, electrical hazards, plumbing leaks, mold, foundation movement, etc.

A fair inspection negotiation solves unexpected problems — it should not be the original bargaining plan.

05/08/2026

Always negotiate a lowball offer. You never know what can happen, and it is never a waste of time.

Buyers usually know what a home is worth and don’t want to overpay. Sellers also know what their home is worth and usually won’t give it away. That’s why negotiation matters.

A low offer does not mean the deal is dead. It opens the conversation. Always counter, always negotiate, and keep the door open. You might be surprised where both sides end up.

05/03/2026

What a beautiful day to work on cabinets. This is the 4th cabinet job in 4 weeks!! Busy busy. I have been consulting on a couple of new builds, designing a remodel, showings and listing prep, and of course hair on mondays! Thank you to all of my amazing supporters!

05/02/2026

I’ve gone back and forth on this because helping people is truly at the heart of who I am. I love helping clients fall in love with their homes and I love helping sellers move quickly and for top dollar. That hasn’t changed.
What has changed is the need to set clear boundaries.
Moving forward, I will no longer be offering my time, expertise, and services for free. This decision is about being fair—to my family, to myself, and to the clients who have trusted me and invested in working with me professionally.
If you’d like to use my knowledge and experience without listing with me as your realtor, I completely understand. However, those services will now be offered at a set fee.
Everything I provide—whether it’s real estate guidance, design help, staging, or hands-on work—will continue to be included for my active clients.
I’ve been giving a lot of myself to many areas, and it’s time to draw a line so I can continue to serve my clients at the highest level.
Thank you for understanding and supporting this decision.
— Rachel

04/05/2026

04/04/2026

Vacation was fun and all, but its time to paint!