Category Archives: Home Seller Tips

The Puget Sound Home Connection For March.

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🌷🏡 Welcome to March!! As spring blooms around us, so does the real estate market! 🌱🏠 With the promise of warmer days ahead, it’s the perfect time to explore new listings and envision your dream home. 🌞💭 Keep an eye out for my market updates and expert tips to help you navigate the buying or selling process with ease. Plus, don’t miss out on exciting local events popping up across the county and beyond – because life’s too short to miss out on community fun! 🎉🌳 Let’s make March a month of new beginnings and exciting possibilities in the world of real estate! 🌟 🏘️✨

🏡✨ Your Puget Sound Home Deserves the Best! Annual Maintenance Checklist Inside. 🛠️🌲

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As the beauty of the Puget Sound region unfolds around us, it’s the perfect time to ensure your home remains a sanctuary of comfort and style. 🏡✨ Our team understands the unique needs of Puget Sound homes, and we’ve curated an essential annual maintenance checklist just for you. 🛠️🌲 From the roof overhead to the roots in the ground, let’s embark on a journey of home care that keeps your investment in prime condition. Your home deserves the very best, and we’re here to guide you through every step. 🌟 If you have any questions or need local service recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your Puget Sound home is a gem, and together, let’s ensure it continues to shine bright!

Fast-track Your Mortgage Payoff, Lower Your Retirement Debt

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When retirement looms, financial stability is a gnawing concern for most people. Have I saved enough? What will inflation do to my nest egg? Will Social Security remain solvent? What are the health wildcards I haven’t planned for? As such, it’s wise to slash expenses and debt as much as possible, with the idea of entering retirement debt-free. For some, that means paying off the mortgage by accelerating their mortgage payoff.

Experian (https://bit.ly/3srAgU7) found that the average mortgage balance debt by generation in 2022 was:
Generation X (age 42-57): $274,406| Baby Boomers (58-76): $189,155 | Silent Generation (77+): $139,999

If you’re able to afford to put extra cash toward your mortgage, doing an early payoff can be a powerful strategy that not only cuts interest payments but lightens the financial and emotional load during retirement, bringing peace of mind, more money for hobbies, vacations, and funds for healthcare and long-term care expenses.

Still, before deciding, you must take a complete look at your financial picture to be sure that a faster payoff is the best way to achieve your goals and to understand the potential sacrifices and downsides of such a move.

Here are nine considerations.

1. Understand the risks. If you have a relatively low mortgage rate, could you miss out on higher returns on your money by putting the extra toward your mortgage? Will you miss out on mortgage interest deductions? By devoting money to your mortgage, you’re lowering your liquidity. Will that lack of liquidity adversely affect your other long-term goals or short-term needs? For example, are you hoping to give a chunk of money to help a child with a down payment or planning to pay some of your grandchild’s college costs?

2. Examine your debts. If you have credit cards, personal loans, and other obligations, paying those off is better before accelerating your mortgage payments. First, pay off debts with higher interest rates than your current mortgage because consumer debt typically carries higher interest rates than mortgages. 

3. Understand your mortgage agreement. Read your agreement’s fine print and talk to your lender to be sure there aren’t prepayment penalties and that you’re allowed to make extra payments.

4. Calculate your savings. How quickly do you want to pay off your mortgage? Can you afford to shave five years or ten years off your mortgage? Use an online mortgage calculator to see how much principal you must pay every month or year to pay off a loan in a certain number of years and how much you’ll save with an early payoff. The savings can be significant. According to a NerdWallet calculator (https://bit.ly/45MhzZR), for example, if you took out a $300,000 30-year fixed loan at 5.5%, have ten years left, and decide to pay it off in five years, you’d have to pay an extra $206.75 monthly. The move would save $89,796.84 over the life of the loan. 

5. Develop your repayment plan. Will you make an annual lump-sum payment or extra payments monthly or bi-weekly? One advantage of spreading the additional payments across the year and making bi-weekly payments is that you lower your principal balance each month, creating a smaller balance on which interest is calculated. 

6. Look at your budget. How much extra money can you afford to put toward your mortgage? Where can you cut back? Also, consider the sacrifices you’ll need to make and decide if missing out on a vacation or cutting back on hobbies is worth it.

7. Don’t sacrifice retirement savings. Have an adequate emergency fund before shifting money to speed up your mortgage payoff. Also, be sure you’ll still be able to max out all your retirement vehicles like 401ks, Roth IRAs, and Health Savings Accounts and make catch-up contributions.  

8. Pay the right way. Be sure to tell your mortgage holder that your extra payments will be applied to the loan principal, not the next month’s mortgage payment.

9. Talk to experts. Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach with finances, so get advice from financial pros—your accountant and financial planner, for example—to understand the risks and the impact an early mortgage payoff would have on your other goals.

How do high interest rates affect the sale of your home?

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Great question! High interest rates can indeed have an impact on the sale of your home. As a professional Realtor it’s essential for me to help you understand how interest rates can influence the housing market and the potential sale of your property.

  1. Reduced Buyer Demand: High interest rates can lead to reduced buyer demand in the housing market. When interest rates are high, the cost of borrowing money for a mortgage increases. This means that potential homebuyers may be discouraged from entering the market or may have to adjust their budgets, resulting in fewer qualified buyers looking for homes. As a seller, this could mean a smaller pool of potential buyers for your property.
  2. Decreased Affordability: Higher interest rates can also impact the affordability of homes for buyers. With higher mortgage rates, monthly mortgage payments increase, which could make it more challenging for buyers to afford the homes they desire. As a result, some buyers may have to lower their price range, leading to potential downward pressure on home prices.
  3. Extended Time on Market: The combination of reduced buyer demand and decreased affordability can result in homes staying on the market for a longer time. With fewer buyers and potential price adjustments, it may take more time to attract the right buyer at a price that aligns with market conditions.
  4. Impact on Home Prices: In areas where high interest rates are prevalent, we may see a moderation in home price growth or even a potential decline in prices. When demand decreases, sellers may find it necessary to adjust their listing prices to attract buyers, and this could lead to a softening of home prices in the market.
  5. Impact on Refinancing: For potential buyers who already own a home, high interest rates can also affect their ability to refinance their existing mortgages. This may lead to fewer homeowners putting their homes up for sale since they may be hesitant to lose their current low-interest rate by purchasing a new property with a higher mortgage rate.

As your real estate agent, I’ll keep a close eye on interest rate trends and how they impact the local market. If we find ourselves in a high-interest-rate environment, I’ll work closely with you to devise a pricing and marketing strategy that takes these factors into account. My goal is to position your home competitively in the market and attract qualified buyers to ensure a successful sale, regardless of the interest rate climate. Rest assured, my commitment is to help you achieve the best possible outcome in any market conditions

You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to add value to your home.

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It’s Springtime! 🌷If you are considering selling your home 🏠 or, just want to spruce it up here are my top tips to add value.

Simple upgrades to increase your home’s value You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to add value to your home. Here are some easy and “financially” easy on the pocketbook tips.

Change fixtures and hardware. This adds appeal and newness quite easily. If you’re selling your home a new mirror in the bathroom and new fixtures can make a huge difference. Upgrade sinks, showerheads and faucets to newer water conserving models in sleek finishes. Sorry folks but brass is dated and out! If wanting a remodel on a larger scale replace cabinets, windows and doors. New molding that’s been painting also really pops out.

Declutter. Clean and organize storage areas including the attic and garage. Believe it or not organization adds tremendous value. Keep kitchen and bathroom counters clear.

Spiff up landscaping. Ever hear of curb appeal? An ugly front yard can torpedo your homes value. Add flowers to add color. A study was done on homes for sale in which red flowers were used on the front door step. These homes sold faster and were more appealing to the client. You can also add path lighting for style and safety. Dust off the exterior. Gutters, siding and windows are often forgotten. Clean them! Crud cutter is wonderful for cleaning off gutters and getting the grime off. Also make sure everything is properly sealed and is good shape. It looks better and helps conserve energy.

Replace appliances. From the refrigerator to the washer and dryer upgrade appliance to new energy efficient models to add instant value and convenience not to mention Earth friendly.

Remodeling What Is The Biggest Bang For The Buck?

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There are so many good reasons for home improvement — even in a tough economy. You may want to boost your home’s future sales value, add livable space, refresh an aging room or feature. Or you may just want to enjoy your home more, especially if you wanted to move but the market didn’t cooperate. Find out which projects could bring you joy — and some cash back!

Is the kitchen the biggest project that will pay you back or the bathroom?

A Room By Room Tour

Must have a good location when selling your HOME

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Add seasonal flowers for curb appeal

One thing is common among all properties that receive multiple offers these days: the home is in a good location. Location is nearly always what drives homebuyers in their search. Before considering price, number of bedrooms or size of home, a buyer looks for location.

If your home is on a busy street, not in the best school district or near a freeway on/off ramp, chances are you won’t receive the kind of activity that a well-located home would. In that case, work closely with your agent to price the home correctly.

Must be priced right

Buyers in any market look for perceived value. Homes priced 10 percent (or more) over their market value won’t get noticed. Pricing isn’t an exact science, and it’s nearly impossible to pin a precise number to a home until buyer and seller sign a contract and close. Then, the price officially becomes the home’s market value. Until that time, agents can provide sellers with a value range. Have a good location? Does your home show well? Are you in a strong sellers’ market? Price your home on the bottom of that price range and you’ll be sure to attract buyers — and possibly multiple offers.

Must show well

A generation ago, sellers simply did some deep cleaning and maybe some de-cluttering before their first open house. Presentation wasn’t as important then as it is today, given online listings. More buyers today develop an emotional connection to a home. They want to imagine themselves in your home and not feel like they’re a guest. What does that mean? Appeal to the masses. If you have a good location and you plan to price your home realistically, then you need to make sure you give buyers what they want. If you can afford it, make cosmetic upgrades; invest in some staging and work to turn your home into a “product.” Emotionally disconnect from your home and try to see it more objectively.

Plan on having the home in perfect condition for the photo shoot. A buyer’s first impression of your home likely will be via the Internet or an email from their agent. Make them want to step inside. The more buyers you attract to your home, the more activity.

Know your market

Don’t assume that national trends apply to your region, city or neighborhood. If you’re not in a strong sellers’ market or you spend a fortune on last-minute upgrades, you could be in for a giant surprise. Just because you hear about bidding wars and multiple offers on the news doesn’t mean that applies to your area. Home selling is like the stock market it is goes up, down and can have a bit of a lull when interest rates go up and what is happening in the news for your area and even around the world.

Work with a good Realtor and, no, not all agents are Realtors learn the difference.  A local Realtor knows the area and what has recently sold as well as ones that have sold over the past six months to a year. Knowing those homes, having walked inside and personally knowing the agents who have sold them matters. This is market data that an outsider just doesn’t have access to. This knowledge empowers good local agents to educate their sellers.

Seller Prepare For The Home Inspection

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Be Prepared!

I know the last year has you asking yourself I don’t need to worry buyers are waiving inspections. I guarantee you that is changing and if you do not wish to have a Seller’s pre-inspection than you may wish to check out this list. You can make your home more attractive to buyers and increase your likelihood of obtaining a positive inspection report by performing routine maintenance now before going on the market.

A visual inspection does not pass or fail a house but simply describes those items in need of minor or major repair or replacement. The inspector will visually examine the structure, crawl space, attic, mechanical components and all interior rooms, as well as closets.

On the day of you can help by having keys available to any locked doors, removing obstacles around water heaters and other appliances, removing items from closets that provide access to attics, and so on. Please be ready to indicate the location of hidden components such as the water meter, electrical panel, sump pump and main sewer clean out.

You can eliminate seasonal limitations on the inspection by clearing pathways of snow or debris. Ensure that appliances not tested because of the temperature (such as air conditioners in winter) are operation. Move boxes and storage items away from interior walls and make certain the entire perimeter of the house can be observed. Finally, leave pets with a friend or, take them with you, for the few hours of the inspection.


EXTERIOR COMPONENTS

  • Repair minor defects in the exterior wall coverings.
  • Repair damaged masonry on walkways and steps.
  • Repair missing or loose railings on decks and steps.
  • Recaulk around exterior windows and doors.
  • Replace missing or damaged shingles
  • Recaulk around flashing.
  • Clean debris from gutters.
  • Ensure downspouts are intact and water drains away from the house.
  • Trim trees and shrubs away from the roof.

INTERIOR COMPONENTS

  • Loosen any windows that are painted shut.
  • Replace missing or faulty hardware on doors and windows.
  • Repair any broken or cracked windows.
  • Replace damaged baseboard or molding.
  • Recaulk around bathtub and kitchen/bathroom sinks.
  • Re-grout tub and shower enclosures and the kitchen backsplash.
  • Repair leaky faucets and fixtures.
  • Unclog slow drains using commercial cleaner.
  • Replace oversized fuses with proper fuses.
  • Repair faulty receptacles and switches.
  • Ensure exhaust fans are in working order.
  • Have the fireplace chimney swept.
  • Have the furnace or other major appliances serviced.
  • Ensure central vacuum, garbage disposal, water softener and other ancillary components not part of the standard inspection are in working order.
  • Replace dead batteries in smoke and CO detectors.
  • Have service contracts, manuals and warranties available and in a drawer for the inspector/buyer to access.

Prior planning always pays off and makes for a smooth transaction after securing a buyer. Reach out to me for questions on this or if you are considering selling your home.

Real Estate Market in Snohomish County is seeing double digit escalation offers: Need sellers!

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Trying something a bit unconventional! 💡If you do not know how the Real estate market is right now I am going to take a quote🗣 from the MLS “The economics of scarcity are driving prices up at an unsustainable pace,” said Dick Beeson, managing broker 👩‍🏫at RE/MAX Northwest. “What will happen this spring and summer 🌞 will likely be more of the same. 🆘The real estate vortex we’re in of depleted inventory and high prices is real and unrelenting.” “If interest rates weren’t historically low, buyers would be unable to afford the escalating cost of housing,” suggested Beeson. “We’re feeling nervous about where this market is headed,” he said, adding, “Help is not on the way. Sellers are almost as rare as the dodo bird.” Although he noted the number of new listings🏡 coming onto the market has kept pace or even exceeded last year’s totals in some areas, (Not Snoho county) “new listings are immediately devoured by a plethora of waiting buyers.” The situation has buyers asking, “Am I paying too much?” 💸and sellers asking, “Can we ask more?” 💸That answer for both is “Yes,” says Beeson

Do you know Snohomish county does not even have 2 weeks of inventory? I listed a home in Marysville a few weeks ago and within 2 days I had 18 offers! Many waived everything and, I mean everything. The offer my sellers decided to accept? 140k over asking and covering the difference of a low appraisal! 👀 So why am I bothering you with this?👂We have 5 home buyers that we have been working to find homes and one family that currently has 7 family members living in the same townhome as they have special needs and we want to find them homes! We were just beat out of an offer that we put in for them. Our offer was 50k over asking and waiving all we could plus they would cover a 25k low appraisal. The offer that got it was $80k over list❗️❗️In almost 11 years in Real Estate I have never experienced anything like what is happening. I rarely do not get my clients the home they want on the first try but, right now there are to many buyers, low interest rates and not enough homes on the market to sell. So I am trying to think outside the box.🕵️‍♀️ If you happen to know of anyone thinking of selling within these parameters can you PLEASE consider having them contact me? 📞 Believe me I have scoped out everything online, even FSBO, and so I am reaching out.

✅ Local firefighter‍🚒Veteran wanting to use his VA loan for the first time. They are approved for up to 500k. They would love a small rambler w/garage and a bit of a yard. Flexible on area. Currently looking in Lake Stevens, Marysville and Arlington. 3-bed, 1.5 bath. Home does need to be in good condition for VA financing but if something is called out and if a little something is needed to push I will do it!

✅Family of seven. Multigenerational family with one of the parents being confined to bed permanently. We are trying to find a home that has 2, or potentially 2, living arrangements. A split maybe for parents to live downstairs and the younger families up? They have 2 small pet 🐐goats so no HOA neighborhood. Underwritten approved to 675k.

✅First time home buyer with 2 small kids and need a home they can keep their laying hens with them. No HOA against chickens. 🐓3 bed/ 1.5 bath with a garage detached or attached. Like homes with a bit of lot. Looking in Marysville, Granite falls, Arlington area. Underwritten approved to 500k.

✅First time home buyer couple. No kids yet but want to have a couple fur babies 🐕🐕‍🦺soon as they lost there two older ones in the last year. Underwritten approved to 570k, 3 bed, 2 bath. Like newer modern homes but not the zero lot line ones.

✅First time home buyer expecting their first baby in May. Underwritten approved to 425k. Flexible on location but prefer Everett and going east or north is okay. At least a 2 bedroom, 1 bath.

🔑This is not something I would normally do or ask but I want to do the best for my clients and never hurts to try right?

Please reach out if you know of anyone, wanting or thinking, about selling. That could help my buyers or another family that is looking for a home. ☎️

Thank you!!

The Home Connection for June

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It’s that time again for your monthly newsletter! Notice QR codes seem to be back? While I like QR codes and think they are handy I sure hope we all can “experience” some of the beautiful places the Pacific Northwest has to explore in person and soon!

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