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Because it wanted to be addressed!
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Category Archives: Realtor Snohomish County
Top 10 Tips for Successful Downsizing 🏡
Downsizing isn’t just about getting rid of stuff — it’s about making space for what truly matters in your next chapter.
As a Senior Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), I’ve guided many clients through the emotional and logistical sides of downsizing. With the right plan, trusted advice, and a clear system, this process can feel empowering instead of overwhelming. Whether you’re preparing for a move, simplifying life, or planning to age comfortably in place, the right strategy can turn a daunting task into an empowering experience.
Let’s break it down into manageable, motivating, and even enjoyable steps — with a few smart systems, heartfelt moments, and yes… a little fun along the way. 😉
🟢 Start Smart: The Sticker System That Changes Everything
One of the easiest ways to stay focused (and avoid decision fatigue) is by using a color‑coded sticker system:
- 🟢 Green = KEEP
- 🔵 Blue = GIVE AWAY / DONATE
- 🟡 Yellow = SELL
- 🔴 Red = DISPOSE
👉 Tip: Keep stickers in your pocket or on a clipboard so you’re never tempted to “decide later.”
❓ Ask the Right Questions (These Are Game‑Changers)
When deciding what stays and what goes, ask yourself:
- Does this enhance my life today?
- Does this fit my current or future space?
- Do I actually use this?
- Do I truly need this?
- Do I need the entire set — or just one piece?
- Does it have real monetary value?
- Does it fit my new lifestyle?
If the answer is mostly no… it’s time to let it go.
🧠 Downsize and Document the Memories
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. Preserve the memories without keeping all the physical items:
- Scan photos into organized digital files
- Use mail‑in photo services to transfer images to USB or cloud storage
- Create shadow boxes with a few meaningful pieces
- Keep one special item from a larger set
✨ Memories live in your heart — not your storage bins.
1️⃣ Make a Plan (and Then Work the Plan)
A successful downsizing project starts with clarity:
- Set clear goals
- Create a realistic timeline
- Identify who will help you (family, friends, professionals)
📌 Plan the work — then work the plan.
2️⃣ One Room at a Time 🛏️➡️🛋️
Avoid overwhelm by working room‑by‑room. Limit sessions to 4–5 hours per day max.
- Stay hydrated 💧
- Take breaks
- Listen to your body
This is not a race — it’s a transformation.
3️⃣ Pace Yourself & Celebrate Wins 🎉
Start early and divide tasks into achievable chunks. After each milestone:
- Treat yourself to lunch out
- Enjoy a walk
- Take a guilt‑free rest day
Progress deserves celebration!
4️⃣ Design Your New Space First 📐
Whether you’re moving or staying put, create a floor plan:
- Measure your new space
- Identify furniture that truly works
- Let go of pieces that won’t fit or function
🛋️ Your home should support your life — not crowd it.
5️⃣ Involve Family & Friends ❤️
Decide what items you’d love to pass on, and label them:
- Blue sticker = one child
- Red sticker = another
- Yellow sticker = a friend
Seeing cherished items enjoyed by loved ones is incredibly rewarding.
6️⃣ Take It Now, Not Later ⏰
Encourage recipients to pick up items right away.
Waiting weeks or months can stall your progress and create clutter all over again.
7️⃣ Tackle Clothing with Confidence 👗👖
Go through every closet:
- Donate what doesn’t fit
- Let go of outdated or worn items
- If you love it but won’t wear it again — take a keepsake photo 📸
Then donate it so someone else can enjoy it.
8️⃣ Kitchen & Tools: Duplicates Be Gone 🍴🔧
Ask yourself:
“Why do I have three of these?”
Keep one of everything you realistically need and donate or discard the rest — especially food containers and gadgets.
9️⃣ Get Creative with Donating 🤝
Some items won’t sell — and that’s okay.
Consider donating to:
- Shelters
- Schools
- Community clubs
- Non‑profits
💡 The joy of giving often outweighs the small cash return — and donations may be tax deductible.
🔟 Most Important: Have Fun & Embrace the Freedom 🌟
Downsizing can be emotional — but it can also be incredibly liberating.
It’s a chance to:
- Revisit memories
- Release what no longer serves you
- Create space for your next chapter
✨ Start early. Stay organized. Reward yourself. You’ve got this!
Ready for Your Next Chapter? Let’s Do This Together 🤝
Downsizing doesn’t have to be confusing, emotional, or stressful — especially when you have the right guidance.
As a Senior Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), I specialize in helping homeowners navigate downsizing, rightsizing, and major life transitions with clarity and compassion.
👉 Thinking about downsizing or planning your next move?
- Get a personalized downsizing plan
- Understand what to keep, sell, donate, or let go
- Align your home with your next lifestyle chapter
📞 Reach out today to schedule a no-pressure consultation.
📧 Contact me directly or send a message — I’m here to help every step of the way. 🏡✨
How to Sell Your House in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide with Jen Murrweiss 🏡✨
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! 🏡💫
The Puget Sound Home Connection For March.
🌷🏡 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! 🌟 🏘️✨
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’d give yourself?
What is the most valuable piece of advice you could give your younger self today regarding building financial wealth? 
For me it’s a no brainer “BUY DIRT”! Not only do I love that song by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryant the video just speaks to my heart and soul of what life is all about AND I have seen it repeatedly with many of my clients.
STORY TIME: in June of 2020 I sold the pictured home for $639,950. The buyers have since had a change of life plan and are moving out of state. Thankfully they have been in the home for 2 years as their primary residence so it will save them on the capital gains tax. WHEW! This month, April 2023, the home is now pending under contract and will be closing soon for around $900,000. That is a profit of around 
$260,000 in 2.5 years!!!! Do the math if you must and see the 
appreciation they received in this short time. I may be a Realtor and yes, this is my job but it’s a career I love and I believe very strongly the most solid way to build wealth and secure your future is to buy a home. Your own piece of dirt.
Inventory is still low, prices continue to go up, by the time the rate is where you want it, that price home won’t be what you want anymore, so you will have to spend more to get the same house. I always tell my buyers that it’s important to “marry the house, date the rate” Find the home you want in today’s prices and then when rates go down, refinance to save. If you wait for the rate to go down for 12 months or, more, and prices increase 5-10% during that time, what are you really saving? And, the main reason you are moving cannot be achieved if you stay put (need more space, closer to family, etc. )
You are investing in yourself when you purchase a home. We purchased our first home at 7.5% and that was normal!! Over time home values will always continue to rise, homes are a long term investment and let’s face it it’s better than paying the 100% interest you are currently paying on the rental you have.
Let me know if you want me to help you build your financial wealth!
Remodeling What Is The Biggest Bang For The Buck?
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?
Top 10 Rightsizing Tips for Seniors
Are you considering selling your home and retiring? Maybe somewhere warmer? We all know the main areas for retiring are Florida with many cities being ranked in the top 10. I was surprised to see Myrtle beach- SC, Ann Harbor MI, and Lancaster, PA in the top 10 and I did not see Arizona in the top 25. In fact it looks like they were #38 in the 2020 ranking. Times are changing for sure! Where do you think Washington ranked? We ranked 46 out of 50!
Over the years seeing Seniors in my church, neighbors and with my own parents I have seen many challenges as we age that make you decide to move. After struggling to help one family move that had many medical challenges I decided I need to learn more to help this population and is why I am proud to be an Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Helping those make a move that is more senior friendly and working with their family in taking the time they may need for their next adventure in life.
So where do you start when you are starting to consider a move and have lived in your current home for 20+ years?
1. Start with the easy stuff.
Eliminate anything that’s broken, damaged, or no longer wanted. Then, go to the out-of-the-way spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and garages. Progress in these “easier” parts of your home will help you build momentum and tackle the harder-to-decide areas.
2. Ask yourself, “If this disappeared tomorrow, would I run out and replace it?”
If you wouldn’t miss it or need to replace it, it’s probably not worth keeping.
3. Don’t be a storage unit for others.
If friends or relatives have left things for you to store, it’s time to ask them to pick up their possessions—or arrange to have them shipped. You may need to be tough and set a firm deadline, after which you will donate the items.
4. Ask for help.
Although you can do much of this work on your own, a family member, a good friend, or even a professional organizer can help make the job more manageable.
5. Decide what’s important.
Pretend you are moving overseas, but you can only take a severely limited number of items because it costs a small fortune to ship them. What items belong on your list? These are the things that matter most to you!
6. Is this something from a lifestyle I no longer have or want?
For example, if you have three cabinets full of plastic containers, but only cook for one or two people, it’s reasonable to eliminate a few plastic sets—and dishes, pots, and pans.
7. Schedule a regular time each week—or several days a week—to work on rightsizing.
Realize that rightsizing is a life-changing marathon, not a sprint. You didn’t accumulate everything overnight, and you won’t sort it all out overnight, either.
8. Value what you keep.
The fewer things you keep, the more you will treasure and enjoy what you have, instead of tucking items away in a closet or stacked among dozens of other things. These are the select, meaningful items worth having in your personal space.
9. Prevent new collections from forming.
Instead of material gifts, ask people to spoil you by sharing time, enjoying new experiences, and helping you indulge in luxuries (spa certificates, imported chocolate, a musical or other theatre production, gift certificates for dinner out, etc.). In other words, ask for special treats that you love and want, but don’t always buy for yourself.
10. Use age to your advantage.
Now is a great time to give items to family members that you eventually want them to have. Take a photo (preferably a digital one) of your recipients holding their treasured gifts and create a scrapbook of “next generation” memories. These images can serve as powerful reminders of your most cherished items moving forward into posterity with the most special people in your life.
It takes time once you decide you want to start making the steps for a move. The average time frame I work with Senior sellers that have decided to move is a few months to a few years. I had one couple that I worked with for 3 years! They had been in their home for 32 years. Raised their kids and finally decided it was time to move into a ground floor condo with no steps and then go see the world. It takes time to navigate and sometimes many meetings to help them make decisions and keep them on their path. I helped with so many referrals and even some of the heavy lifting before we did the heavy selling. 🙂
Want more information on what a SRES can do for you? Visit the consumer site to learn about the value of working with a SRES and content with topics to assist you like Senior housing options, adapting your existing home and more.
House Hunting Checklist For Home Buyers
Here is the Snohomish County Homes Team’s home buyer checklist that we give to our buyers besides a side by side comparison sheet and other tips. For your own click here homebuyingchecklist Or better yet contact us and let us help you find a new home!
The Home Connection for June
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!
Two home in one! Silver Lake/Everett
Have you been looking for an extra large home w/potential of 2 full living spaces? How about 5+beds? MIL, home biz, multi family? This home checks all those boxes & more! Remodeled kitchens, baths, paint, flooring, roof, vinyl siding, gas furnace in 2017, SS appl. & more. Upstairs has an open concept living/dining area. The master has an updated private bath. The lower level boasts full kitchen, dining, family rm & large entry. For full virtual tour and information click here
be used as a office or studio. Large corner lot. A must see!