Mary Mychael's Top 5 Must Haves in a Home

1. Wine Fridge/Storage- Having spent a lot of time in the wine industry, I have a soft spot for a good glass of vino and lately our collection is growing! I love being able to store it properly so I can have a crisp (perfectly chilled) glass of white or rosé or a nicely aged red from our wine rack.

2. Record Player- Music is a big part of our lives as a family, and we LOVE filling our home with some good tunes. We have a cool tabletop turntable and lots of fun records (old and new) – a recurring fave is *Galactic – Into the Deep* and of course (Penelope’s favorite) the Frozen II soundtrack – you gotta have balance.

3. Statement Dining Room- Dinner at a dining room table is something I will always encourage and cherish – the conversations, the laughs, the good food and drinks, all of it. Eric and I have spent years looking for the perfect dining room that was unique and perfect for us and our space. We recently took the plunge after a 3 year pep-talk (because dining room tables…man, they can be a financial commitment!). And I couldn’t be happier…its beautiful but also brings people together and I love that.

4. Reading Nook/Library- I love a space where devices are not the centerpiece. A space where you can sit and listen to music, read, work, craft…bonus if there are lots of windows with natural light. :)

5. Bathtub- If you missed my bathroom renovation last year, then you may not know that I am a bathtub gal through and through…the entire renovation came about *just* so I could add a bathtub (I mean it needed updating anyway but still). Living in dust for months (and months) is not my favorite thing, but the end result was SO worth it because that bathtub is my jam. Bonus if there is a glass of wine involved – and a book – maybe even some soft tunes in the background – and a sleeping kiddo – now we’re talkin!

Alaina's Top 5 Must-Haves in a Home

1. Wood Floors in the Main Living Area: These allow you the option of  style changes. Houses are living breathing creatures and without the option to totally change my style/mood on whim is pure tragedy. Wood floors throughout the home brings warmth and continuity to any design palette

2. Owner's en Suite Bathroom: After living in a 2/1 San Marco Bungalow with my husband and our two kids (now we have a gaggle of six), our own private bathroom is at the tip top of my priority list. Having our own space sans dinosaurs and barbies is essential to maintaining our sanity.

3. Backyard with a Privacy Fence: As previously mentioned, I have a family with four kids. If we can't let those anklebiters run off their energy with minimal supervision on the daily,  it makes for a VERY spirited evening in the Burt House. We could definitely do without the upkeep of the grass, however!! So fenced AND xeriscaped FTW! 

4. Porch: I love entertaining! Some of my favorite gatherings are getting everyone together and playing Heads Up or just chatting on our back porch for hours on end. Bonus if the porch has an outdoor fan that keeps your thighs from sticking to the chairs in the Florida heat. 

5. Home Office: People tend to think Realtors are always out on the road showing houses; they're not wrong, but a lot of the *magic* in Real Estate happens behind the scenes! That magic is curated in the home office preparing contracts, researching properties, organizing tour routes, and strategizing marketing blitzes. Having a little retreat tucked away from the noise is vital for the success of my growing business!