From Grunt Work to Light Work: A Homeowner's Guide to Attracting Buyers by Tamika M. Murry is a handy and intriguing methodology of selling one’s home. Murry was co-owner of a home with her mother, who sadly passed away, leaving the author to bear all the financial responsibilities of owning the home. Murray came up with an innovative sales approach which she divides into two phases, grunt work and light work. The first involves the standard making a plan, fixing broken things, sprucing up, paying one’s debts on the property, and finding the right realtor. Murry interjects interesting personal stories in each of these areas so that we don’t make the same mistakes. She explains what to do and what not to do and gives many helpful examples.

Then, in the light section, the book takes a really intriguing direction with what Tamika M. Murray calls “manifestations.” Here we enter a new realm, probably not often associated with home selling. As a reference, she mentions the film “The Secret” and searching the tag “manifesting” on YouTube. The categories she offers are 5x55, affirmations, visualizations, astrology, the St. Joseph figurine, and living as if the house is already sold. She offers helpful hints in these processes and provides space for doing the exercises. Finally, she expresses the relief and happiness she felt in successfully selling her house in less than a month. As a homeowner about to put my condo on the market, I enjoyed the sincerity and usefulness of From Grunt Work to Light Work by Tamika M. Murray, and fully intend to make use of Ms. Murray’s innovative ideas.

From Grunt Work to Light Work by Tamika M. Murray is the author’s account of strategies that helped her achieve a satisfactory home sale. Part guide book, part workbook, the book has two main sections. The Introduction is a personal memoir and tribute to her mother with whom the author shared homeownership. Chapter one recommends information gathering and checklist compiling. The second chapter recommends completing essential, but not cosmetic, repairs. The third chapter discusses cleaning, reducing clutter, and the benefits of gardening. The fourth chapter advises clearing debts and legal barriers to a sale. The fifth chapter discusses real estate agents and other helpers. Part Two begins by discussing mental preparation for a sale and attracting a suitable buyer. Then worksheets are provided to assist the reader’s sale journaling. The final chapter gives concluding assurances, followed by references.

From Grunt Work to Light Work by Tamika M. Murray offers self-help tactics designed for the reader who is daunted by the task of selling a house. Tamika’s tone is respectful and empathetic towards the reader, with the overall intention of empowering each individual in their own circumstance. From Grunt Work to Light Work interested me because I have sold a house, and could confirm many of Tamika’s observations. I liked the fact that Tamika’s approach was realistic, and she did not pretend to give legal advice. Tamika’s point of view was particularly interesting because she began the account by recalling the time when she was as much a newcomer to the real estate industry as the average reader.