Episode 33: House Hunting: Tips for First-Time Homebuyers (Part 2) with Realtor, Sydney Beckman
Release Date: 05/11/2023
Episode 61: ROCS Wrapped 2025
Leaving The Nest
I am very excited about this episode because I am, for the first time ever, joined by ROCS colleagues and ! Sage walks us through her journey from Recruiter to Account Manager, reflecting on her unique college experience during the pandemic, her career pivot, and the thrill of earning her promotion. Piper shares her start at ROCS straight out of college, including a first day unlike any other, which turned into an unexpected bonding experience with the team. Both of them offer thoughtful advice for recent grads, highlighting the value of being coachable, flexible, and open to feedback in...
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Episode 60: Thriving in a Remote Setting
Leaving The Nest
Join me for this episode of Leaving the Nest as I discuss how to not only be successful but to thrive when working remotely! I highlight the importance of setting up a dedicated workspace at home with as few distractions as possible, a reliable internet connection, and clear boundaries with family, roommates, and pets, and I also stress the need for a consistent daily routine - including getting dressed and ready for the workday, taking breaks, and managing time effectively! Communication is so important when working remotely, and I recommend over-communicating with your team, being...
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Episode 59: Office Etiquette
Leaving The Nest
Office etiquette and professionalism when starting a new job – you have probably heard these terms before and have heard that they are important, but you might not be aware of just how important that they are even for entry-level positions. Having prior experience in an office environment is highly valued by employers, and this can include things like internships, part-time campus jobs, or any role that involves working in a professional setting. Listen in as I cover several key aspects of office etiquette, beginning with punctuality. I advise arriving 15-20 minutes early each day, not just...
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Episode 58: Regret or Adjustment? Making Sense of a New Job
Leaving The Nest
Episode 58: Regret or Adjustment? How to Handle New Job Anxiety Starting a new job and already questioning your decision? In this episode of Leaving the Nest, we explore the common signs of new job regret, how to tell if what you’re feeling is just part of the adjustment period, and how to navigate the uncertainty with confidence and professionalism. Whether you’re overwhelmed by a new office environment, struggling with your manager’s style, or just missing your old routine, this episode will help you break it down. We’ll walk through how to: Identify the real reasons behind new job...
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Episode 57: You Accepted the Job—Here’s What Happens Next
Leaving The Nest
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Episode 56: From Offer to Onboarding: Navigating Background Checks
Leaving The Nest
One of the final steps in the hiring process that can cause a lot of stress and anxiety is the pre-employment background check which is why I am thrilled to be bringing you this conversation with Kristy Wheeler-Scott, an HR professional with over 8 years of experience, to get the inside scoop on what to expect! Kristy explains that background checks are a very important part of the hiring process, allowing employers to verify qualifications, minimize risk, and ensure cultural fit. While the specific details can vary by industry and organization, most background checks cover criminal records,...
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Episode 55: Final Interviews: Don't Celebrate Too Soon
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Episode 54: Eyes on You: Winning Over the Panel
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Let’s talk this week about the dreaded panel interview. Yes, the panel interview, the one where you’re the only person on one side of the table (or Zoom screen), and there are four or five people staring at you from the other side, shooting rapid-fire questions at you. I know; this doesn't sound fun, but that's why I am doing this episode of Leaving the Nest! If you caught the last episode, we talked about group interviews – multiple candidates, one or two hiring managers, but today we’re flipping that for this episode - one candidate (you), multiple interviewers (them), and, of...
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Episode 53: Standing Out in the Crowd: Mastering Group Interviews
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Episode 52: How to Lose a Job in 10 Days
Leaving The Nest
Thanks for tuning back in to Leaving the Nest, dear listeners! Join me for this episode as I discuss a topic that might sound a bit tongue-in-cheek at first: how to lose a job in 10 days (inspired, of course, by the 2003 rom-com How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days)! Of course, I am not actually setting you up for failure; instead, we will focus on what NOT to do when starting a new job so that you can avoid making costly mistakes right out of the gate. It's so important to make a positive impression, and I am using this episode to share some practical tips on how to do just that! From being punctual...
info_outlineIn our last episode, we talked to John Ragano of SWBC Mortgage to discuss financing a home. Today, I am joined by Sydney Beckman, Realtor at Jennifer Mack Properties of eXp Realty, to discuss the process of finding and buying your first home.
From your buyer's consultation to finding “the one” and finally making an offer, Sydney shares the ins and outs of buying your first home.
Sydney explains the first thing you need to do before starting your home search and the steps you can take to ensure a smoother transaction. Plus, why it's essential to work with a trusted real estate agent who can guide you through the process and help you make informed decisions.
Listen in to learn the most important factors to consider when searching for your dream home, what to know about new construction, why you shouldn't skip the home inspection, and more!
Interested in Real Estate as a career? Sydney shares the process of becoming an agent and the skills required to succeed.
Buying your first home can be a complex process, but with Sydney's guidance, you'll have the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and navigate the journey with confidence.
Thanks again for listening to "Leaving The Nest." I hope you enjoy my conversation with Sydney!
Please leave us a review wherever you are listening and share this episode with others you know who are just Leaving the Nest.
In This Episode
[00:32] - Kathleen welcomes Sydney Beckman, a Realtor from Jennifer Mack Properties of eXp Realty, to discuss the house-hunting process today.
[01:48] - Sydney introduces herself and mentions that her team covers Northern Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia
[03:02] - The first step for first-time home buyers who want to work with a realtor.
[05:04] - Sydney walks us through her buyer consult with every new client, where they discuss budget, location, size and qualities to look for in a house
[06:41] - Sydney reveals a crucial aspect of working with first-time homebuyers: managing their expectations and how she guides them toward finding their dream home.
[07:54] - Sydney's recommendations to buyers to help them get a better understanding of what they want.
[09:26] - The benefits of going to open houses.
[10:54] - What you can and (probably) cannot change—Sydney shares the dos and don'ts of house hunting and the most important things to consider that will help you find the right house for you.
[13:19] - Kathleen shares her love for watching Fixer Upper with Joanna Gaines and how it relates to house-hunting
[13:38] - Kathleen discusses how buyers often miss little details during showings. Sydney offers her advice for going through things in detail—especially approximately how long you should spend with a home inspector at the house.
[15:14] - Don't rely on Zillow— how to really get the inside scoop on houses in your price range that will be coming up for sale (especially in this low inventory market).
[16:33] - Ready to buy? Sydney talks about what goes into making the right offer, the process of putting an offer on the house, and how to strategize the offer price based on the market and other factors.
[18:16] - Kathleen talks about the importance of finding a trusted realtor and the one piece of advice she has for first-time home buyers.
[19:18] - There's a house for everyone—Sydney recounts an experience with clients who initially were only looking at resale houses but ended up finding their dream home in new construction within their budget.
[19:56] - Kathleen talks about how she and Jason also wanted new construction, but the prices often skyrocket with added features.
[21:39] - The inside scoop on new construction: Sydney shares her own experience of finding and purchasing a new construction home and the process of selecting a lot and model, plus what to be mindful of.
[25:33] - Knowing the players involved in your real estate transaction and what happens before you receive the keys.
[26:37] - Putting your trust in your realtor for more than just finding your dream home—how to work with them to line up the other professionals you need to get the deal done.
[27:55] - The importance of using local lenders and title companies.
[30:21] - Thinking of a career in real estate? Sydney talks about becoming a realtor, the skills (and flexibility) required for the position, and her favorite part of the job.
[34:21] -If you'd like to work with Sydney, you can contact her via her profile or find her on Instagram!
[34:48] - To find your next job, visit us at ROCSjobs.com. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at Kathleen@rocsjobs.com. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677.
Resources:
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