Livin’ La Vida Loca: Trading The Suburbs For The Open Road

Lisa Davis dreamed of living in Chile since college when she wrote a research project on Chilean culture. She and her husband Charlie often daydreamed together about eating fresh empanadas on the beaches of Vi?a Del Mar, but between raising three kids and working to get Lisa’s interior design firm off the ground, they procrastinated the trip to the point that it seemed like a distant dream.

Then, post-pandemic, Charlie’s job was moved remote, and he brought up the idea of a high-end luxury mobile home. Together, they snuggled in bed and watched YouTube videos of fellow empty nesters who traded their homes for Airstreams and used a mobile router to work from the road.?

“We can make that Chile trip you always wanted,” Charlie said. Lisa’s eyes welled with happy tears, they would call a realtor in the morning. This week, Life in Style, the weekly publication from Team Real Estate, brokered by eXp Realty, helps homeowners find their dream home on the go. To be considered for comment, email [email protected]. Need a subject matter expert? Click here. Buyer or seller with questions? Go to Real Answers.

Van Life: Not Just For Influencers

The Davises are just one of many couples who decided to take their lives on the road in the wake of the work-from-home revolution.?

Affectionately named, “van life” refers to the nomadic lifestyle taken on by the young and restless and the retired alike. Van life is for those that need more than just a weekend getaway to satiate their wanderlust for long-term adventure.

Whether you’d like to buy a luxury sprinter van and build it out yourself or purchase a pre-modeled Airstream, there are countless YouTube videos and Instagram accounts dedicated to the art of living on the road.?

The Russos, or “We’re the Russos” on YouTube are a couple who share their van life experiences and tips, from the best seats to buy for your camper van to how to cope with increased gas prices on the road.

Some choose to buy a mobile home for trips but keep their home as a base to come back to. In the case of the Davises, they were all in. Charlie took it upon himself to find the perfect home on wheels for the pair with all of the extras they wanted while still in their budget.

“When it comes to mobile homes, the usage of space is more important than ever,” explained interior designer Karen Mills.

“You have less space to work with, so you really have to think about what’s a priority and what’s not. What’s more important to you- a fully loaded kitchen or a shower?”

Charlie managed to find a luxury airstream with all the bells and whistles they needed, plus a mobile router so that Lisa could run her small business whether they were trekking the Rockies or finally having those Chilean empanadas they talked so much about.

Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints

Meanwhile, Lisa was tasked with selling their empty nest. Despite her excitement, she was sad to sell the home where Charlie first carried her over the threshold and they watched their children grow up. She wanted to make sure it was sold to the right people. That’s when she reached out to Team Real Estate, brokered by eXp Realty.?

“At the end of the day, real estate agents, we’re matchmakers,” said Suzie Taggart,? Operations Chief and co-founder of Team Real Estate, brokered by eXp Realty.?

“We’re tasked with finding buyers that love the home as much as the sellers did. But once you find that perfect fit, that’s the most rewarding part of the job.”

Team Real Estate Realtor, Tess, was able to find a young couple looking for a forever home to settle down and grow the family they’d always wanted.. They toured the Davises’ home and immediately fell in love, and Lisa and Charlie felt good knowing that their home would continue to be cherished just as they had.

After selling most of their belongings and placing their valuables in storage, the Davises packed up their brand new mobile home. Lisa looked out the window as their lifelong home disappeared into the distance, but sat forward in her seat and smiled knowing that the sandy beaches of Vi?a Del Mar were in her near future.?

Life in Style is the weekly publication from Team Real Estate, brokered by eXp Realty, which helps homeowners live a more inspired life. To be considered for comment, email [email protected]. Need a subject matter expert? Click here. Buyer or seller with questions? Go to Real Answers.