Your Homegrown Real Estate Team Serving Home Buyers & Sellers In Snohomish County, North King County And Eastside Areas Of Our Great Puget Sound Region.
It’s the time of year when millions of people are asking the same big question: “When should I take my turkey out of the freezer?”
If you take it out too early, you risk spoiling it… or at least taking up much needed space in the fridge for days. Wait too long, and you’re left scrambling (and possibly serving takeout) on Thanksgiving Day.
It reminds me of how so many of my clients have mentioned that they’re never quite sure when to reach out to me about buying or selling a house…
Many people have told me that they didn’t want to bother me, and felt like they should wait until they were “truly ready” to buy or sell a house!
The truth is, it’s never too early to involve me. Unlike a turkey, I won’t spoil, and getting me involved early can actually make the process smoother.
So if you’re planning to buy or sell soon—or better yet, just thinking about it—let’s chat!
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. Need to know when to take your turkey out? Here’s a quick guide to avoid a Thanksgiving disaster:
Happy September, friends! 🍂 This month’s newsletter is packed with: 📊 A fresh Eye on the Market 🏡 Fall home décor ideas to cozy up your space 📦 Clever space-saving tips 🎶 Can’t-miss local events around the Sound Grab your coffee ☕ and take a few minutes to check it out—you’ll love what’s inside! 💌
Thinking about selling your home? Whether you’re in the Puget Sound area or beyond, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to selling in today’s market. I’ve helped countless sellers achieve great results, and I’m here to walk you through the essential steps to sell your home with confidence. 👇
Step 1: Hire the Right Real Estate Agent 👩💼💼
The first and most important step in selling your home is hiring a real estate agent who can guide you through the entire process. A great agent is your partner in this journey—someone who understands the market, has the right connections, and can provide expert advice on everything from pricing to staging. Choosing the right agent makes all the difference. As a top listing agent in the Puget Sound region, I’ve helped clients just like you navigate the selling process with ease. When interviewing agents, be sure to ask:
How many clients have you helped recently? What sets you apart from other agents in the area? What services do you offer beyond negotiations?
Step 2: Hire a Home Inspector 🔍🛠️
You might be thinking, “Aren’t home inspections for buyers?” Technically, yes—but getting a pre-listing home inspection can save you time, money, and stress down the road. A professional inspector will help you spot issues that could scare off potential buyers.
Step 3: Make Repairs and Small Upgrades 🔧✨
You don’t have to completely renovate your home, but a few strategic updates can make a world of difference. Here’s where to focus:
Fix what’s noticeable
Modernize: Create flexible spaces like a home office.
Curb appeal matters
Brighten up with fresh lighting
Step 5: Price Your Home Right 💵💡
Pricing your home can be tricky. Price too high, and you risk scaring off buyers. Price too low, and you leave money on the table. Even when you are priced correctly there can be challenges that your agent will help you work through according to your current market and feedback we receive from potential buyers. I’ll help you understand your home’s value through a detailed market analysis.
Step 6: Stage Your Home to Sell 🛋️✨
Staging isn’t just about making your home look good—it’s about helping buyers imagine themselves living there. If you’re unsure where to start, I can connect you with professional stagers or offer my own recommendations.
Step 7: Get Professional Photos 📸🌟
In today’s digital world, great photos are essential. Homes with professional photos typically sell faster and for more money.
Step 8: List Your Home 📲🏡
Once your home is ready, I’ll list it on the MLS and make sure it’s visible on all the right platforms. But it’s not just about online listings—I’ll help market your home through social media, email campaigns, and more to ensure it gets the exposure it deserves.
Step 9: Have a Plan in Case Your Home Doesn’t Sell Right Away ⏳📉
Not every home sells overnight, and that’s okay. If things aren’t moving as quickly as you’d like, we’ll adjust the strategy. Whether it’s adjusting the price, hosting more open houses, or taking a different approach, I’m committed to making sure we get the best result for you.
Step 10: Negotiate the Sale Price 🤝💬
Negotiation is one of my favorite parts of the process. My goal is always to get you the best possible price, and I’ll guide you through every step of the negotiation process.
Step 11: Sign and Close ✍️🏠
Once you’ve agreed on an offer, it’s time to sign and close. We’ll review all the details—inspection reports, appraisals, closing costs—and ensure everything is in order before the big day. Then, when you sign those final papers, you can officially say goodbye to your old home and move on to the next chapter.
Selling your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming, and with my expertise, it can be an exciting and rewarding process. If you’re ready to take the next step, reach out. I’d love to help you make your next move a success! 🏡💫
Welcome to 2025! 🏡 Whether you’re looking to dive into the real estate market, stay in the loop with the latest events, or pick up some fresh tips & tricks, this month’s newsletter has it all! 🌟 Get ready to kick off the year with exciting opportunities, expert insights, and a little inspiration to make 2025 your best year yet! 💪🔑 Let’s jump right in!
As the kiddos head back to school and the leaves start to turn, it’s a great time to think about new beginnings—whether it’s finding a new home or making the most of your current one!
Here’s the scoop for September: Mortgage rates have been on a delightful downward trend this summer. While the Federal Reserve left rates unchanged at their mid-summer meeting, they’ve hinted that a rate cut could be on the horizon this month. 📉 If they decide to cut rates, it could mean even more favorable mortgage rates as we roll into fall.
So, while your little ones are hitting the books, why not consider making your real estate dreams a reality? Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or just explore your options, I’m here to help you navigate the market with ease. 📚🏡
Looking forward to helping you turn your real estate goals into a reality! Reach out today, and let’s make this September the start of your next big adventure. 🌟
🌷🏡 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! 🌟 🏘️✨
🌬️❄️ Winter is upon us, and while the season brings a magical snowscape, it also brings the risk of burst pipes, frozen woes, and unexpected home headaches! Don’t let the chill catch you off guard—warm up with these reminders on prepping your home for winter! 🏡✨
Because when it comes to your home, it’s better to be prepared than to face a chilly surprise! 🧤🔥 #WinterReadyHome #HomeSweetWarmHome
Insulate exterior pipes and faucets with newspaper, rags, or insulating material, then cover with plastic and secure with string or wire. You can also use electric heat tape.
Insulate interior pipes and faucets located in cold areas of your home (including unheated attics, basements, garages, and crawl spaces) the same way as step 2.
Locate your home’s main water shut off valve and test it prior to an emergency, so you can stop excessive water loss and flooding if a pipe breaks. Use a wrench to turn it firmly but gently in a clockwise direction.
Alternatively, you can turn ff your water at the meter box b y using a #wter meter valve key” tool available at most hardware stores for about $15.
Locating Your Main Water Shut Off Valve
This valve is either round or shaped like a lever. It’s usually located in your basement, crawlspace, garage, or outdoor foundation, often near the front faucet.
Additional Safety Measures
If you have a yard sprinkler system, drain and blow out the system completely.
On extra cold nights, open the doors of closets or cabinets that are located near water pipes on our home’s exterior walls.
If you don’t mind a slightly higher utility bill, let one indoor faucet slowly drip warm water overnight during spells of below- freezing temperatures. Just don’t do this in a house that will be vacant for an extended time.
For maximum protection, apply caulk around incoming pipes, and close or block your home’s foundation vents during the coldest months (open them up once the threat of freezing has passed to prevent dry rot).
If you have a second home or cabin that is left unoccupied for several days or longer.
Turn off the main water shut-ff valve.
Turn off the electricity or gas to the water heater. If the house is going to be vacant for an extended length of time, the water heater should also be drained.
Open and drain indoor and outdoor faucets.
After the water is turned off, flush the toilet once to drain the tank but not the bowl.
Leave the heat on at a minimum temperature to help keep pipes from freezing in the walls.
How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe
If you turn on a faucet and only a little trickle (or no water) comes out, your pipe is probably frozen.
Locate the suspected frozen area of the pipe-usually where pipes are up against exterior walls, or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
Turn the faucet closest to the suspected frozen area. This will allow water to flow through the pipe once the frozen area begins to melt, which will help more ice melt inside the pipe.
SLOWLY try to thaw the frozen section of pope. Soak some old rags in hot water and wrap them around the pipe. When wet rags cool, re-soak them in hot water and continue to apply until water begins to flow again.
If you have not lost electrical power AND there is NO standing water near the area, you can wrap an electric heating pad around the pipe, set to LOW, or use a hair dryer to thaw frozen pipes.
DO NOT use electric devices such as heating pads or blow dryers if there’s ANY standing water anywhere nearby.
DO NOT use an open flame such as a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, candle, or cigarette lighter as this can cause the water in the frozen pipe to boil and explode the pipe. Open flames also present a serious fire danger as well as exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.
If a pipe breaks IMMEDIATELY turn off the main water valve to minimize flooding and damage. If you are unable to turn off your water, call your water company for help. They are very busy during freezing emergencies, so they may not be able to respond in time to prevent flooding damage. This is why it’s critical that you know the location of your main water shut off valve and how to turn it off. It’s also important to keep your water meter unobstructed for easy access. Remember, you are responsible for protecting and repairing the water pipes. Starting from the water meter, all the way into your home.
An ounce of prevention goes along way! Its is suppose to be extremely cold next week so please make sure you and your home is safe.
Getting preapproved before you start looking at homes is crucial for several reasons:
Understanding Your Budget: Preapproval helps you establish a clear budget range. By knowing how much a lender is willing to lend you, you can focus your home search on properties that align with your financial capacity.
Saves Time: It streamlines the home-buying process. You won’t waste time considering homes that are beyond your financial reach. This efficiency is particularly valuable in a competitive real estate market.
Negotiation Power: Sellers often prefer dealing with preapproved buyers because it indicates that you are a serious and qualified buyer. This can give you an edge in negotiations and make your offer more appealing.
Avoiding Disappointment: Knowing your budget prevents the heartbreak of falling in love with a home only to find out later that it’s out of your financial reach. Preapproval sets realistic expectations.
Quick Response to Opportunities: In a fast-paced market, having a preapproval letter allows you to act quickly when you find the right home. This can be a significant advantage, especially if there are multiple offers on a property.
Identifying Credit Issues: The preapproval process involves a thorough examination of your credit history. If there are any issues, it gives you time to address them before making an offer on a home.
Clarifying Loan Options: Preapproval provides insights into different loan options available to you. You can choose the type of loan that best suits your needs and financial situation.
Building Trust with Real Estate Professionals: Real estate agents and sellers take preapproved buyers more seriously. It establishes you as a committed buyer, making the entire home-buying process smoother.
Smooth Closing Process: Having your financing in order from the beginning helps ensure a smoother and quicker closing process. Delays related to financing issues can be minimized or avoided.
In summary, getting preapproved is a strategic step that not only gives you a clear financial picture but also positions you as a serious buyer in the real estate market. It enhances your ability to make informed decisions and increases your chances of securing the home you desire. If you are in the Puget Sound region reach out to me and I will guide you to the best lender associates based on you needs and we will work together to get you the perfect home that goes together beautfully. Just like peanut butter and jelly!
Jen Murrweiss RE/MAX Elite 