Toni Schafer Realtor

Toni Schafer Realtor Real Estate Resources in ASL nationwide. Creating accessibility for the Deaf community when buying or selling a home. Central Kentucky Realtor.
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09/07/2026

This is why having someone in your corner during a real estate transaction matters. Sometimes the biggest problems aren't the ones you expect. And when something goes sideways, you need someone who knows how to slow down, look at the facts, and advocate for your side.

A contract isn't something you should casually walk away from just because circumstances change. If something happens during your transaction that doesn't make sense, ask questions before assuming you have to start over.

And don't rely only on what a listing looks like online to tell you what's happening behind the scenes. There can be a lot more to the story than what you see on the screen.

Have you ever had something unexpected happen while buying or selling a home?

09/06/2026

Some blocks are built shoulder to shoulder for a reason. Row homes, brownstones, and older city lots often sit close enough that you can hear your neighbor's stairs creak, and that tight spacing is not an accident. It comes from a time when land was expensive and walkability mattered more than a side yard.

There is a real trade off here. Closer lots usually mean a lower price per square foot, a shorter commute, and a built in sense of community. More space usually means privacy, quiet, and room to spread out, but it often comes with a longer drive and a bigger price tag for the land alone.

Neither one is right or wrong. It comes down to what you actually want your day to day to feel like: a porch you can chat off of, or a yard nobody else can see into.

Which side are you on: tight and walkable, or spread out and private?

09/05/2026

Nettle gets a bad reputation because of the sting, but around our place it earns its keep. It grows wild along the fence line every summer, and instead of pulling it out, we harvest it.

Stinging nettle has been used for generations as a wild edible, often dried for tea or added to broths for its mineral content. We are not doctors and this is not medical advice, just something that has become part of our own kitchen rhythm.

The bigger story here is not really the plant. It is what it means to build a life where three generations are working the same land. My mother in law and father in law living with us was not the original plan, but it has turned our farm into something none of us could run alone. More hands for the work, more people at the table, and a kind of resilience that is hard to manufacture any other way.

If you are curious about multigenerational living, whether it could work for your family, or you just want to know what else grows wild worth harvesting, let me know in the comments.

09/04/2026

House hacking is not just a buzzword. It is one of the clearest ways I have seen regular buyers build equity without stretching their monthly budget.

Here is the detail that changes the math: FHA loans let owner occupants buy a property with up to four units for as little as 3.5% down, as long as you live in one of the units yourself. That duplex does not have to sit in the investment property category with 20% down and a higher rate. It qualifies as your primary residence.

Once a tenant's rent is covering part or all of that mortgage, your real housing cost drops. Some of my clients end up living close to free. That difference can go straight into savings, another investment, or just breathing room in the monthly budget.

This is not the right fit for every property or every buyer. It takes the right numbers and a lender who knows how to structure an owner occupied multi unit loan. But if buying and renting at the same time has felt out of reach, this is worth a real conversation.

I am walking clients through duplexes today. If you want to see what is actually on the market right now, send me a message and I will show you.

09/03/2026

As we get older, the question isn't always, “Should I sell my house?”

Sometimes, the better question is:

“What options do I have if I want to stay?”

For some homeowners, a reverse mortgage may be worth exploring. It can potentially help someone access the equity they have built in their home without making traditional monthly mortgage payments. That money could be used to help with living expenses, home modifications, or other financial needs.

But like every financial decision, there are important things to understand. You still have responsibilities as the homeowner. And using the equity in your home today can affect how much equity remains later.

A reverse mortgage isn't automatically the right choice or the wrong choice. It depends on your home, your finances, your future plans, and what you hope to accomplish. That's why I always encourage people to ask questions and speak with a qualified mortgage professional before making a decision.

And if communication access is important to you, I can help connect you with ASL fluent mortgage professionals who can explain your options directly.

09/02/2026

When you're getting ready to sell your home, it can be difficult to see your space the way a buyer will. You've lived there. Your things have a place. You know how the rooms function.

But a buyer is walking in for the first time.

They're trying to picture their furniture in the room. Their belongings on the counters. Their life inside the home. That's why a few simple changes can make such a big difference.

Creating space.
Cleaning up the entryway.
Choosing colors that help buyers focus on the home instead of the walls.

You don't have to completely change your house before putting it on the market. Sometimes, helping buyers see the possibilities is about removing the distractions that keep them from seeing them.

If you were getting your house ready to sell, what would be the hardest room for you to declutter?

09/01/2026

This is one of those moments that reminds me why I love what I do. A home is such a personal thing. There are so many decisions to make, questions to ask, and conversations happening along the way.

And I believe everyone should have the opportunity to be part of those conversations.

Not just at the beginning.

Not just when it's convenient.

But throughout the entire process.

Whether someone is buying a home, selling a property, or designing and building something completely new, communication matters. Being able to understand what's happening and participate in the decisions being made about your own home shouldn't be something you have to fight for.

That's why moments like this mean so much to me.

Finding the right real estate professional is important.But finding someone you can communicate with comfortably and con...
08/31/2026

Finding the right real estate professional is important.

But finding someone you can communicate with comfortably and confidently can make the entire experience feel different. That's why creating more access within the real estate industry matters.

Whether you're BUYING A HOME, SELLING A PROPERTY, looking for FINANCING, or searching for another REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL, communication shouldn't feel like another obstacle. Because everyone deserves to feel understood when making important decisions.

And the more ASL-FRIENDLY PROFESSIONALS who join the directory, the more accessible the experience can become for communities everywhere.

Looking for an ASL-friendly professional? Explore the directory and find someone who fits your needs.

08/30/2026

Selling a home can bring up a lot more emotions than people expect. You can be completely ready for your next chapter and still feel emotional about leaving the last one behind.

Both things can be true.

Sometimes you're excited about what's ahead while also feeling nervous about everything that's changing. Sometimes you're ready to move, but you're not quite ready to say goodbye.

And I think that's something we should talk about more. Moving forward doesn't mean you didn't love where you've been.

Whatever your reason for selling, give yourself permission to feel the excitement, the stress, the uncertainty, and everything in between.

It's not just a transaction. It's a transition. And transitions can be emotional.

If you've ever sold a home, what surprised you most about the experience?

08/27/2026

If you take your regular monthly payment and make it 13 payments instead of 12 each year, you could cut years off your loan and save thousands in interest. Without refinancing or changing your loan terms.

It’s one of the simplest wealth building strategies homeowners overlook. Whether you divide that extra payment across 12 months or make it all at once, it adds up in a big way.

It’s not just about paying off your home faster, it’s about buying your freedom sooner.

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Lexington, KY

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