Toni Schafer Realtor

Name: Toni Schafer Realtor
Address: Lexington, KY, US
Telephone: +18596124044

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Lexington, KY
Toni Schafer Realtor

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Real Estate Resources in ASL nationwide. Creating accessibility for the Deaf community when buying or selling a home. Central Kentucky Realtor.

11/02/2026

Even if you already know exactly which real estate agent you're going to use, I still encourage you to take the time to interview them.

It doesn't have to be a formal interview, either. It's really just an opportunity to sit down, ask questions, and have a conversation about what working together is actually going to look like.

You might have known your agent for years, or maybe they're a friend or family member you've always planned to work with. But that doesn't necessarily mean you know their professional background, how they approach buying or selling a home, or what you should expect throughout the process.

And those are all things you deserve to understand before you get started!

I want you to feel comfortable asking questions, understanding the decisions you're making, and knowing what to expect along the way. Having that conversation early can make the entire experience so much smoother for both you and your agent.

If you're not sure what questions you should be asking, I've put together a list to help you get that conversation started. Just comment INTERVIEW below, and I'll send it over to you!

And for my Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, if you're looking for an ASL fluent real estate agent, I'd love to help you find someone! Send me a private message with the city and state where you're planning to buy or sell, and I'll help connect you with an agent in your area.

Having access to clear communication and an agent who understands your needs should be part of your real estate experience, no matter where you live.

11/01/2026

Every project starts somewhere. Sometimes it begins with a need for a little more space, and sometimes that idea grows into something even bigger. This home addition is a great example of taking the time to explore possibilities, talk through ideas, and figure out what will work best for the homeowners.

We're excited to see this vision come together and share the progress along the way.

Follow along as we bring this project to life!

10/31/2026

A successful kitchen renovation isn't just about how everything looks when it's finished. It's also about how well the space works for the people using it every day.

This is why conversations during the planning stage are so important. Taking the time to think through cabinet layouts, appliance placement, outlets, and everyday routines can make a big difference in the finished space.

Sometimes it's the details you don't immediately notice that make the biggest difference in how comfortable and functional a kitchen becomes. We believe thoughtful planning and clear communication are important parts of creating a space that works for you.

What is one thing you would make sure to include in your dream kitchen?

10/30/2026

I know how exciting it is to find a piece of property and start thinking about everything you could build there. But one thing I've learned is that you don't want to make a decision based on the view or the price alone.

Take the time to do your homework before moving forward. The more you understand about a property before buying, the better prepared you'll be for what's ahead.

I've put together a free resource to help make that process a little easier. If you're thinking about buying land, comment LAND LIST and I'll send it over!

I'd love to hear where you're planning to build!

10/28/2026

Sometimes the best property isn't the one that's already exactly how you pictured it. It might be the one with the right location, the land you've always wanted, or the space to eventually create something that fits your lifestyle.

Before crossing a property off your list, think about what it could become. Some changes can happen over time, and not every project needs to be completed before you move in. The trick is knowing which things you're willing to compromise on and which ones are truly important to you. You don't always have to find a home that's perfect from day one. Sometimes you can find one that's worth growing into.

If you were house hunting, would you choose a move in ready home or one with potential that you could renovate over time?

10/27/2026

Just because you're ready to move on from a property doesn't necessarily mean selling is your only option. Sometimes it's worth stepping back and looking at the bigger picture. What do you need financially right now? Would having an additional source of income benefit you? Are you comfortable owning a rental property, or would you rather have someone manage the day-to-day responsibilities?

There isn't one right answer for everyone. What makes sense for one property owner might not make sense for another. The important thing is to understand your options before making a decision. Sometimes the best financial move isn't the most obvious one.

If you owned a property that you no longer needed to live in, would you sell it or consider turning it into a rental?

10/26/2026

One of the best times to talk to a listing agent is actually well before you’re ready to put the sign in the yard.

If you think you may sell within the next six months, having that conversation early gives us time to walk through the property and talk about what may actually be worth repairing, updating, cleaning up, or leaving completely alone. I would much rather help you make those decisions before you spend thousands of dollars on projects that may not give you the return you were expecting.

And if selling is still a year or two away? I still encourage you to reach out. We can start talking about your long term plan, what buyers are responding to, and what you may want to work on gradually instead of trying to tackle everything right before listing.

The one thing to remember is that the price conversation has an expiration date. A suggested list price today is not necessarily going to be the suggested list price six months from now, and it definitely shouldn’t be treated as an accurate number for a sale that may happen one or two years down the road. The market, inventory, comparable sales, buyer demand, interest rates, and even what is happening in your specific neighborhood can change surprisingly quickly.

So start the conversation early. Make the plan early. Just expect us to revisit the numbers as your actual listing date gets closer.

If you’re considering selling a home, farm, or property in Central Kentucky sometime in the next year or two, you do not have to wait until you’re “ready” to call me.

When you sold your last home, how far in advance did you first meet with your listing agent?

10/25/2026

One of the biggest things I believe homeowners deserve during a renovation or new construction project is TRANSPARENCY when it comes to their money.

Building or renovating a home is a huge financial investment, and you should never be left wondering where your money is going or how your actual costs compare to the budget you started with.

Over the years, I've developed proprietary software that allows us to track every expense throughout a project, matching actual invoices against our original estimates and the client's budget. It gives us a clear picture of where every dollar is going, and it allows us to catch potential issues before they become expensive surprises.

Our estimating process is also something we've worked incredibly hard to refine. In fact, we've been able to complete every project at or under our original budget, (excluding any change orders homeowners have chosen to make along the way.)

And I think that's an important distinction. A change in the budget because a homeowner chooses to upgrade something is very different from a budget that wasn't accurate or complete in the first place.

If you're interviewing general contractors for a renovation or planning to build a new home, please don't just compare the final numbers on their estimates. Ask questions about what's actually included. Are there allowances? What happens if those allowances aren't enough? Are there expenses that haven't been accounted for? How will you be able to track your spending throughout the project?

Many times the lowest estimate isn't actually the least expensive option. It may simply be the estimate that has the most things left out.

I believe homeowners deserve to make informed financial decisions from the very beginning, and that starts with contractors who are willing to be transparent about the numbers.

I'm curious: Have you ever renovated a home or built a new construction home? Did your project stay within the original budget, or were there expenses that caught you completely off guard?

I'd love to hear about your experience.

10/24/2026

There are so many different options for homebuyers out there, and lately I've been walking through some properties that have really made me appreciate how well certain homes have been cared for over the years.

I'm talking about homes that haven't been updated since the 1980s, but everything is in incredible condition! The original carpet looks practically brand new, the bathrooms are spotless, and the kitchen still has all those original appliances that work perfectly. Some of these homes have been maintained better than properties that are only 10 years old!

And it brings up an interesting question. Just because something is outdated, does that mean it needs to be replaced?

I think we've gotten so accustomed to seeing completely renovated homes with modern finishes that sometimes we overlook the value of a home that has simply been loved and maintained really well.

There's something to be said for purchasing a home where everything works, moving in, and taking your time deciding what you actually want to change. You don't necessarily have to spend thousands of dollars renovating something just because it isn't the current style.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with wanting to make a home your own, either! That's part of what makes buying real estate so personal. We all have different priorities, tastes, and ideas of what makes a house feel like home.

So I'm curious. If you purchased a home that was straight out of the 1980s, but everything was spotless and worked perfectly, would you keep it the way it is or start renovating as soon as you moved in?

I'd love to know what you would do!

10/23/2026

“I'm just going to buy some land and put a manufactured home on it.”

Sounds simple, right? And it CAN be a great way to create a home of your own. But there’s a whole lot that happens between finding a piece of land and getting the keys.

You’re shopping for more than a house. You’re putting together an entire project and the house, the land, and the work needed to bring them together all have to fit your budget.

That “cheap” piece of land might need expensive work. That home price you saw advertised might not include everything needed to move in. And owning a property doesn’t automatically mean you can put the home you want on it.

None of that means you shouldn’t do it. It means you deserve to know what you’re getting into BEFORE you start spending money. Ask what’s included, what’s extra... Get those answers in writing. And don’t build your budget around the assumption that everything will go perfectly.
If this is the route you’re considering, save this video so you can come back to it and share it with the person you’re planning your next move with.

Want something you can follow as you work through the process? Comment “GUIDE” and I’ll send you my FREE guide to putting a manufactured/Modular home on your own land. 📲

Address

Lexington, KY

Telephone

+18596124044

Website

http://tcsrealesatateinternational.com/, http://aslrealestatecollective.com/

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