Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
Declutter or Keep?
When faced with a move, people often begin to re-evaluate their belongings. Should you declutter before you go? Perhaps this fresh start in a new home deserves a fresh start with new belongings too. Maybe the hassle of moving across the country with truckloads of items just doesn’t seem appealing or cost effective. It is likely your current belongings won’t fit in your new space anyways. Plus, if you are selling, a staged home tends to sell for more than it’s un-staged counterpart. Yes, you should declutter before you go.
If you have found yourself here, it is time to start decluttering and deciding which items you can part with and which you can’t live without. But how do you get rid of it all? Follow along below for key insights into making a successful yard sell and offer some of my favorite places to donate in Skagit and Snohomish Counties.
Host a Yard Sale
Hosting a yard sale is an excellent way to give a second life to your unwanted items, lighten your moving load, make room for new possessions, and potentially generate a little extra cash for the move. Here are some tips to ensure your yard sale is a success.
Separate Sell Items from Keep Items
Apart from keepsakes and heirlooms, a good rule of thumb is if you haven’t used something in over a year it is probably something you can live without and can contribute to the get rid of pile. Another approach is if an item no longer brings you joy or an inkling of excitement then it is likely past its life with you but could bring joy to someone else. Add it to the get rid of pile! Be sure to separate the items you are parting with from the items you are keeping. If you wish to be extra organize sort piles by price ranges. Try color coding your items with stickers to demonstrate your selling price.
Price Flexibility
Keep in mind that people like to negotiate the price. Determine now what items you are willing to negotiate on and which items you don’t feel there is room to budge. Price accordingly. Remember yard sales are not meant to get rich from, but instead helping to reduce your moving load and offer extended life to your unneeded items to keep them out of the waste plants.
Generate Neighborhood Excitement
Plan your yard sale in advance. It is likely you have friends and neighbors that have stuff they would like to part with too. Make it a neighborhood event so that multiple yard sales happen on the same day and same time. Together you can pitch in for signage that can be posted around town directing traffic to your neighborhood yard sale. This will attract more buyers and reduce your overhead costs. At the end of the sale, celebrate your success with a neighborhood gathering like a BBQ dinner or potluck.
Promote Your Neighborhood Yard Sale on Social Media
Boost the visibility of your yard sale by leveraging social media and neighborhood apps. Start by creating a Facebook event page and inviting all your friends. Share the event on Twitter with a fun hashtag and offer a prize for those who repost about your sale. Post a carousel of the items for sale on Instagram to attract more attention. Additionally, use Nextdoor or another neighborhood app to reach people beyond your immediate area. No matter what knick-knacks you uncover, expanding your audience will help ensure they find the right home. You might also wish to list your items on Facebook Marketplace or your local Buy Nothing groups. Check in your local area for local consignment shops that will sell your items for you and you receive a portion of the sale price in return.
Payment Options
Keep in mind that most people don’t carry cash anymore. It pays to have a variety of payment options so that negotiators can’t finagle your price due to lack of cash on hand. Try offering PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or another form of digital payment. You will likely discover more sales and turn passer-buyers into buyers.
Donate your leftovers
The final step to declutter before you go is immediately after your sale, bag up the leftovers and take them to your local donation center. Otherwise, they will find their way right back into your house, garage, or storage and you will end up paying to transport them to your new home. Here is a list of several donation centers in Skagit and Snohomish Counties.
Arlington:
Skagit Valley:
North Cascades:
Anacortes:
Housing & Economic Update: Key Numbers to Know 10/7/2024
Windermere Principal Economist Jeff Tucker takes a look at the numbers in the Oct. 4 jobs report, how it impacted mortgage rates, and his prediction for rates in the coming months. Click HERE to watch his prediction.
This Is the Sweet Spot Homebuyers Have Been Waiting For
After months of sitting on the sidelines, many homebuyers who were priced out by high mortgage rates and affordability challenges finally have an opportunity to make their move. With rates trending down, today’s market is a sweet spot for buyers—and it’s one that may not last long.
So, if you’ve put your own move on the back burner, here’s why maybe you shouldn’t delay your plans any longer.
As you weigh your options and decide if you should buy now or wait, ask yourself this: What do you think everyone else is going to do?
The truth is, if mortgage rates continue to ease, as experts project, more buyers will jump back into the market. A survey from Bankrate shows over half of homeowners would be motivated to buy this year if rates drop below 6% (see graph below):
With rates already in the low 6% range, we’re not terribly far off from hitting that threshold. The bottom line is, that when they drop into the 5s, the number of buyers in the market is going to go up – and that means more competition for you.
That increased demand will likely push home prices up, which could potentially take away from some of the benefits you’d gain from a slightly lower interest rate. As Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist and Director of Real Estate Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:
“The downside of increased demand is that it puts upward pressure on home prices as multiple buyers compete for a limited number of homes. In markets with ongoing housing shortages, this price increase can offset some of the affordability gains from lower mortgage rates.”
So, while waiting to buy may seem like a smart move, it could backfire if rising prices outpace your savings from slightly lower rates.
What This Means for You
Right now, you’ve got the chance to get ahead of all of that. Today’s market is a buyer sweet spot. Why? Because a lot of other buyers are waiting – which means not as many people are actively looking for homes. That means less competition for you.
At the same time, affordability has already improved quite a bit. Recent easing in mortgage rates has made homeownership more accessible. As Mike Simonsen, Founder of Altos Research, says:
“Mortgage payments on the typical-price home are 7% lower than last year and are 13% lower than the peak in May 2024.”
And while the supply of homes for sale is still low, it’s also higher than it’s been in years. According to Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com:
“The number of homes actively for sale continues to be elevated compared with last year, growing by 35.8%, a 10th straight month of growth, and now sits at the highest since May 2020.”
This means you now have more options to choose from than you’ve had in quite a while.
With fewer buyers in the market, improving affordability, and more homes to choose from, you have the chance to find the right one before the competition heats up.
Why Waiting Could Cost You
If you’re waiting for the perfect time to buy, it’s important to understand that timing the market is nearly impossible. The longer you wait, the higher the risk that market conditions will shift—and not necessarily in your favor. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says:
“It’s one of those things where you should be careful what you wish for. A further drop in mortgage rates could bring a surge of demand that makes it tougher to actually buy a house.”
Bottom Line
Don’t wait until you have to deal with more competition and higher prices – you already have the chance to buy a home while we’re in the sweet spot today.
New Price!!
NEW PRICE!!!!
This mid century style home in Anacortes has a composite deck that wraps north to east for views of the ever-changing beauty of Fidalgo Bay and snow-capped Mount Baker. It’s the perfect spot to watch the July 4th fireworks, sailboat races and spectacular sunrises. This 4-bedroom house with primary on the main floor has 3/4 baths on both floors with an efficient layout & lots of storage.
3819 Terrace Dr. Anacortes, WA 98221
$799,000
For more info:
Danielle Martin 360.420.6807
More photos HERE & video tour HERE!
How Long Does It Take to Close on a Home?
How Long Does It Take to Close on a Home?
The time it takes to close on a home can vary depending on several factors, including the specific circumstances of the home purchase and the parties involved. On average, it typically takes around 30 to 45 days to close on a home after the purchase agreement is signed. However, it’s important to note that this is just an estimate, and the actual timeline can be shorter or longer depending on various factors, such as:
- Mortgage Financing: If you’re obtaining a mortgage to purchase the home, the timeline can be influenced by factors such as the lender’s efficiency, the complexity of the loan application, and any potential delays in obtaining the necessary documentation or appraisal.
- Home Inspection and Appraisal: The time it takes to schedule and complete a home inspection and appraisal can impact the closing timeline. If any issues or discrepancies are found during these processes, it may require additional negotiations or repairs, which can extend the closing timeframe.
- Title Search and Insurance: A title search is typically conducted to ensure there are no outstanding liens or claims on the property. This process can take a few weeks, and obtaining title insurance may also be necessary, which can add additional time.
- Contingencies and Negotiations: The presence of contingencies in the purchase agreement, such as a home sale contingency or repairs requested by the buyer, can affect the closing timeline. If negotiations or resolutions are required, it may lengthen the closing process.
- Local Factors and Seasonal Variations: The time required to close on a home can vary depending on local customs, regulations, and the workload of the professionals involved, such as real estate agents, lenders, and attorneys. Additionally, certain seasons or times of the year, such as holidays or peak buying seasons, can result in increased demand and potentially longer closing times.
It’s essential to work closely with your real estate agent, lender, and other professionals involved in the process to get a more accurate estimate of the closing timeline for your specific situation.
When A Seller Wants to Buy Their Own Home
Getting a house ready for sale is a lot of work, however, always worth it in the end. For this listing, my client and I initially met up to discuss plans about four months prior to his home going live on the market. We came up with our list of “to do” items. We had a pre-inspection, organized and packaged up items not in use, painted, cleaned home professionally (including carpets), landscaping and interior staging. We were then ready for showtime with our photography day and then to go live!
After we had photos taken of this gorgeous home on the hill in Mount Vernon, my Seller told me that he loved it so that he’d want to buy his own home! If you love older homes that have been beautifully maintained, you don’t want to miss looking at this one. Click here to see why!
Charming La Conner home with views of the Bay
Details: Discover a rare fee simple gem in LaConner with stunning bay views. This charming home features a main floor master suite for ultimate convenience, while the upper level offers two additional bedrooms, half bath and a versatile bonus room, ideal for guests. Inside, you’ll find beautiful hardwood floors and the cozy ambiance of a wood-burning stove. Enjoy a spacious updated kitchen with newer appliances and updated baths on both levels. The home opens up to two large new decks (hello summer), perfect for entertaining or enjoying peaceful moments surrounded by gorgeous landscaping as well as a detached studio perfect for guests, a home office, or a creative space. The property includes access to the use of Hope Island amenities.
View the virtual tour HERE. View the listing HERE.
SOLD in 13 Days!
Legacy Craftsman home on the hill in Mont Vernon
How VA Loans Can Help You Buy a Home
For over 80 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own homes. If you or someone you know has served in the military, it’s important to learn about this program and its benefits.
Here are some key things to know about VA loans before buying a home.
Top Benefits of VA Home Loans
VA home loans make it easier for veterans to buy a home, and they’re a great perk for those who qualify. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, some benefits include:
- Options for No Down Payment: Qualified borrowers can often purchase a home with no down payment. That’s a huge weight lifted when you’re trying to save for a home. The Associated Press says:
“. . . about 90% of VA loans are used to purchase a home with no money down.”
- Don’t Require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Many other loans with down payments under 20% require PMI. VA loans do not, which means veterans can save on their monthly housing costs.
- Limited Closing Costs: There are limits on the types of closing costs you pay when you qualify for a VA home loan. So, more money stays in your pocket when it’s time to seal the deal.
An article from Veterans United sums up how remarkable this loan can be:
“For the vast majority of military borrowers, VA loans represent the most powerful lending program on the market. These flexible, $0-down payment mortgages have helped more than 24 million service members become homeowners since 1944.”
Bottom Line
Owning a home is the American Dream. Veterans give a lot to protect our country, and one way to honor them is by making sure they know about VA home loans.
