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Home Maintenance •
November 21, 2025
6 No-Guilt Decluttering Tips for Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving approaches, we’re encouraged to reflect on gratitude—not just for family, friends, and the good in our lives, but also for the space we live in.
Ideally, our home provides peace, comfort, and a feeling of stability. But if clutter is making it feel more chaos than calm, it’s time to remove some stuff. Having rooms filled with items we don’t need or love can really mess with our sense of comfort and even disrupt the natural energy in our living spaces.
But, do you find it hard to get rid of things? And what about the items that were given as gifts? Sometimes guilt and obligation make us hold onto things.
How about some feng shui? Here are 6 ideas, inspired by feng shui principles, for decluttering with NO guilt. If you have some time, this is a great thing to do before the holidays so your home feels peaceful and balanced.
1. Release “Obligated” Items with Kindness
Many of us have items we keep out of obligation—whether they’re family heirlooms or gifts from friends that just don’t fit with our current life or style.
According to feng shui, each object carries its own energy, and items that don’t feel aligned with who you are now can create emotional clutter.
Instead of holding onto something out of guilt, try releasing it with gratitude. Thank it for its role in your life, then allow it to find a new home where it will be cherished and loved.
2. Let Go of Gifts That Don’t Reflect Who You Are
Gifts come from a place of love, but not every gift aligns with our personal energy or style.
If you have gifts that feel like they belong in someone else’s home, it’s okay to let them go. Feng shui encourages letting go of things that don’t bring joy or match your energy.
By parting with these items, you honor the intention behind the gift, keeping only those things that lift your spirit.
3. Release Items Tied to Past Relationships
Objects can carry the energy of past relationships—whether it’s an old photograph, a forgotten memento, or something with sentimental weight.
According to feng shui, holding onto items linked to past relationships can weigh down your heart and even affect the energy in your home.
As you declutter, give yourself permission to let go of these items with compassion. This clears space for new relationships and experiences that align with who you are today.
4. Reconsider “Just-in-Case” Items
There’s always that closet, drawer, or box filled with “just-in-case” items—things you might need someday but haven’t touched in ages.
Feng shui teaches that clutter, even hidden clutter, can stifle energy in a home. Holding on to items out of a “just-in-case” mindset creates a lack mentality, suggesting that you might need it because you won’t be able to find it later.
Decluttering these items can bring a sense of abundance and trust that you’ll always have what you need. Embrace gratitude for what you have now and feel free to let go of what you don’t actively use.
5. Remove Items That No Longer Spark Joy
Marie Kondo popularized the “spark joy” approach, which is closely aligned with feng shui’s principle of surrounding yourself with uplifting energy.
If something doesn’t bring you happiness, it probably isn’t contributing to the flow of positive energy in your home.
As you declutter, give yourself permission to let go of anything that no longer makes you smile, even if it once did. This simple act can create a home filled with joy and gratitude for every item you choose to keep.
6. Make Space for New Beginnings
A great principle in feng shui is that empty space invites new energy, opportunity, and clarity.
You don’t need to fill every corner; instead, create areas where energy can flow freely.
As you declutter, focus on how much lighter and more open each room feels. This shift allows your home to be a place of peace and rest, filled only with items that support your goals and dreams.
In this month of gratitude and Thanksgiving, try approaching decluttering as a practice of gratitude and intention. You can release what no longer serves you without guilt, creating a home that truly feels like a reflection of you.
Selling Your House •
November 17, 2025
Planning To Sell in 2026? Start the Prep Now
You’ve got big plans for 2026. But what you do this year could be the difference between a smooth sale and a stressful one. If you’re thinking of selling next spring (the busiest season in real estate), the smartest move you can make is to start prepping now. As Realtor.com says:
“If you’re aiming to sell in 2026, now is the time to start preparing, especially if you want to maximize the spring market’s higher buyer activity.”
Because the reality is, from small repairs to touch-ups and decluttering, the earlier you start, the easier it’ll be when you’re ready to list. And, the better your house will look when it’s time for it to hit the market.
Why Starting Now Matters
Talk to any good agent and they’ll tell you that you can’t afford to skip repairs in today’s market. There are more homes for sale right now than there have been in years. And since buyers have more to choose from, your house is going to need to look its best to stand out and get the attention it deserves.
Now, that doesn’t mean you have to do a full-on renovation. But it does mean you’ll want to tackle some projects before you sell. Your house will sell if it’s prepped right, and you don’t want to be left scrambling in the spring to get the work done.
Because here’s the advantage you have now. If you start this year, you’ll be able to space those upgrades and fixes out however you want to. More time. Less stress. No sense of being rushed or racing the clock.
Whether it’s fixing that leaky faucet, repainting your front door, or finally replacing your roof, you can do it right if you start now. And you have the time to find great contractors without blowing your budget or paying extra for rushed jobs.
Get an Agent’s Advice Early
To figure out what’s worth doing and what’s not in your market, you need to talk to a local agent early. That way you’re not wasting your time or money on something that won’t help your bottom line. As Realtor.com explains:
“Respondents overwhelmingly agree that both buyers and sellers enjoy a smoother, more successful experience when they start early. In fact, a recent survey reveals that, for sellers, bringing a real estate agent into the process sooner can pay off significantly.”
A skilled agent can tell you:
- What buyers in your local area are looking for
- The repairs or updates you need to do before you list
- How to prioritize the projects, if you can’t do them all
- Skilled local contractors who can help you get the work done
And having that information up front is a game changer.
To give you a rough idea of what may come up in that conversation, here are the most common updates agents are recommending today, according to research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
Just remember, what’s worth updating really depends on the homes you’re competing with in your market. Some areas don’t have a ton of inventory, so little updates may be all you need to tackle. In other areas, there are far more homes for sale, so you may need to do a bit more to make your house stand out.
Your agent will walk you through what you need to do for your specific house and market. And that’s expertise that’ll really pay off.
Bottom Line
If your plan is to sell in 2026, it’s time to get serious. Taking some time to prep means you’ll hit the market confident, ready, and ahead of other sellers who waited until January to get started.
Want to know which projects are getting the biggest return on their investment in our market? Let’s connect so you can head into next spring with a solid game plan.
Seasonal Home Maintenance •
September 18, 2025
5 Tips for Creating a Cozy, Autumn Oasis at Home Copy
Fall is a fantastic time to showcase your home because it offers unique opportunities to create warmth, coziness, and charm. If you’re planning to sell this fall, I highly recommend using a professional stager. Staging is often a key ingredient to a successful selling strategy.
However, even if you’re not selling, it’s fun to use some expert tips and ideas to boost your home’s cozy vibes and fall feels. Here are five expert staging tips for making your home extra homey this fall:
1. Enhance Lighting
As daylight becomes more scarce, make sure to maximize your home’s natural light. Clean windows and replace outdated curtains with sheer or light-colored options. Consider adding strategically placed mirrors to reflect light and brighten spaces.
If your home is lacking in natural light, look for places where an added light or lamp might brighten the room. White, light, and neutral paints are a key part of staging your home and they can help lift the brightness of your home.
Finally, don’t forget outside lights. Make sure your exterior lights are on and paths are lighted if needed. Exterior lights are a great way to enhance curb appeal, welcome guests, and provide extra safety for walking. You can make your home glow with autumnal charm.
2. Cozy up with Textiles
Nothing says “welcome home” like soft, cozy textiles. Professional stagers might use plush throw blankets, seasonal accent pillows, and area rugs in warm, autumnal colors to create a sense of comfort in your living spaces.
Tasteful, fall touches can help accentuate a home’s ambience. A well-placed autumn wreath on the front door, a decorative bowl of apples or gourds on the dining table, and a few pumpkins on the porch are nice seasonal accents.
3. Fireside Comforts
If your home has a fireplace, arrange seating around it. And, of course, lighting or turning on the fire is the perfect way to create instant warmth.
4. Curb Appeal:
Along with exterior lights, it’s also important to keep the outside of your home fresh and clean to emphasize your yard’s natural autumn beauty. Rake leaves, clean out gutters, and add some seasonal potted plants, like mums, to boost curb appeal.
PNW residents love their outdoor spaces, even in the fall. Ensure that decks and patios are clean and inviting. Stage them with cozy seating, blankets, and perhaps some café lights and/or a fire pit to showcase the potential for year-round enjoyment.
5. It Makes Scents
Finally, stagers often suggest appealing to the senses with the comforting scents of autumn. Consider using subtle, pleasant, scented candles, essential oil diffusers, or potpourri with fall scents like apple cinnamon, pumpkin spice, or warm vanilla.
With these fall staging tips, you can already envision yourself snuggled up with a book by the fire or sipping hot cider on the patio.
If you’re thinking of selling this fall and need advice or assistance, please reach out to me. I’m here to help you make your property stand out in the Seattle area real estate market this fall.
Selling Your House •
September 18, 2025
Checklist for Getting Your House Ready To Sell Copy
Some Highlights
- Getting your house ready to sell? Here are a few tips on what you may want to do to prepare.
- Focus on making it inviting, showing it’s cared for, and boosting your curb appeal.
- If you want specific advice to help your house stand out in our local market, let’s connect.
Selling Your House •
September 18, 2025
Why 50% of Homes Are Selling for Under Asking and How To Avoid It
If your selling strategy still assumes you’ll get multiple offers over asking, it’s officially time for a reset. That frenzied seller’s market is behind us. And here are the numbers to prove it.
From Frenzy to “Normal”
Right now, about 50% of homes on the market are selling for less than their asking price, according to the latest data from Cotality.
But that isn’t necessarily bad news, even if it feels like it. Here’s why. The wild run-up over the last few years was never going to be sustainable. The housing market needed a reset, and data shows that’s exactly what’s happening right now.
The graph below uses data from Zillow to show how this trend has shifted over time. Here’s what it tells us:
- 2018–2019: 50–55% of homes sold under asking. That was the norm.
- 2021–2022: Only 25% sold under asking, thanks to record-low rates and intense buyer demand.
- 2025: 50% of homes are selling below asking. That’s much closer to what’s typical in the housing market.
Why This Matters If You’re Selling Your House
Why This Matters If You’re Selling Your HouseIn this return to normal, your pricing strategy is more important than ever.
A few years ago, you could overprice your house and still get swarmed with offers. But now, buyers have more options, tighter budgets, and less urgency.
Today, your asking price can be make or break for your sale, especially right out of the gate. Your first two weeks on the market are the most important window because that’s when the most serious buyers are paying attention to your listing. Miss your price during that crucial period, and your sale will grind to a halt. Buyers will look right past it. And once your listing sits long enough to go stale, it’ll be hard to sell for your asking price.
The Ideal Formula
Basically, sellers who cling to outdated expectations end up dealing with price cuts, lower offers, and a longer time just sitting on the market. But homeowners who understand what’s happening are still winning, even today.
Because that stat about 50% of homes selling for under asking also means the other half are selling at or above – as long as they’re priced right from the start.
So, how do you set yourself up for success? Do these 3 things:
- Prep your house. Tackle essential repairs and touch-ups before you list. If your house looks great, you’ll have a better chance to sell at (or over) your asking price.
- Price strategically from day one. Don’t rely on what nearby homes are listed for. Lean on your agent for what they’ve actually sold for. And price your house based on that.
- Stay flexible. Be ready to negotiate. And know that it doesn’t always have to be on price. It may be on repairs, closing costs, or some other detail. But know this: today’s serious buyers expect some give-and-take.
If you want your house to be one that sells for at (or even more than) your asking price, it’s time to plan for the market you’re in today – not the one we saw a few years ago. Let’s connect if you’re thinking about buying or selling.
Selling Your House • Uncategorized •
September 18, 2025
Patience Won’t Sell Your House. Pricing Will.
Waiting for the perfect buyer to fall in love with your house? In today’s market, that’s usually not what’s holding things up. And here’s why.
Let’s be real. Homes are taking a week longer to sell than they did a year ago. According to Realtor.com:
“Homes are also taking longer to sell. The typical home spent 60 days on the market in August, seven days longer than last year and now above pre-pandemic norms for the second consecutive month. This was the 17th straight month of year-over-year increases in time on market.”
Part of that is because there are more homes on the market. So, with more options for buyers to choose from, they aren’t getting snatched up quite as fast. But there’s another big reason: price.
The Average List Price Isn’t Going Up – and That Matters
Today, a lot of homeowners are overshooting their list price. They remember the big climb in home prices a few years ago, and they don’t realize how much has changed.
One of the most important, but often overlooked, changes in today’s housing market is this: average list prices have held steady for the past few years.
That’s a big shift from a typical market, where prices were rising steadily each year. And it’s significantly different than the 2021-2022 surge when sellers could set their price just about anywhere and still attract multiple offers over asking.
But now? That trend has leveled off – and sellers who want to stay competitive need to take note (see graph below):
Here’s what this says about today’s market. Buyers are a lot more price sensitive now. And sellers can’t keep trying to inch the bar higher, or their house will sit without any offers.
Homeowners who expect to bring in more than their neighbors did last year may be setting themselves up for a longer, more frustrating experience.
And while homeowners are starting to realize prices can’t keep climbing at such a rapid pace, the hiccup is that list prices aren’t actually coming down yet as a result. They’re hanging around, holding steady. And sellers who make this mistake are often holding onto hope that they’ll be able to eek a few more dollars out of their sale. But that’s the problem right there.
If you want to sell today, you need to be in line with where the market is today. Not last year. Not during the pandemic. Today.
Because buyers will skip over homes that feel overpriced, even if it’s only by a little. It’s not that they aren’t interested. It’s just that in a market with more homes to choose from, buyers can be more selective, and sellers don’t get the same benefit of the doubt. If your house isn’t priced to sell, buyers just move on. They’ve got other options anyway.
4 Signs Your Price May Be Too High
You may already be feeling this yourself. If your home is listed and you’re not seeing results, watch for these common red flags noted by Bankrate:
- You’re not getting many showings
- You haven’t gotten any offers (or you’ve only gotten lowball offers)
- Buyers that do come to see your house leave overly negative feedback
- Your house has been sitting on the market longer than the average for your area
If any of these sound familiar, know that waiting it out won’t fix it. But adjusting your price will.
So, What’s the Solution?
Work with your agent to make sure your house is positioned for today’s market. Depending on your what’s happening in your local area, a few weeks without traction can raise questions for buyers about whether your price is realistic. And don’t worry – it doesn’t have to be a big drop. Even a small adjustment can be enough to bring the right buyers through the door.
And if you’re worried you won’t get the high-ticket sale price you thought you would be able to land, keep in mind that your equity has probably grown quite a bit. Chances are, you’re still ahead of the game simply because you invested in a home over the last 5, 10, or more years. You’re still winning when you sell today.
Bottom Line
Patience isn’t a strategy. Pricing is.
If your home isn’t moving, the market is telling you something – and the right price can change everything. Your house will sell, if you price it strategically.
Talk to your agent about what buyers are willing to pay right now to make sure your home stands out for all the right reasons.
