weirealty

Happy birthday my dear son!👦
I am always few days late on posting your birthday because I am always so busy on your actual birthday!

家人之间的爱没法非黑即白，相互依存就是同时损耗又修补着 - 《俗女养成记》

First half of 2023 market data

Now is no time to shrink back. Look at me and listen to what I'm about to say:

You CAN do this. 
You CAN keep your houseplants alive. 
This time WILL be different.  

Here is what you’re going to do.

You’re gonna go to the store, look for these plants, and follow my instructions word for word. It’s gonna take courage, but I know you can do it. I’ll be with you every step of the way.

Snake plants: Prefer shade to partial sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Water when the soil is dry. Avoid overwatering.

ZZ plants: Prefer medium to bright indirect light, up to six hours a day. Water every 2-3 weeks and let the soil dry out in between waterings.

Pothos plants: Tolerate most any light well, except for direct sunlight. Can be grown in water or dry soil. Only water when the soil feels dry.

Jade plants: Prefer bright indirect light. Water when the soil is dry and prune dead or shriveled branches.

Rubber trees: Like bright indirect light. In the winter, when rubber trees are dormant, water every 2 to 3 weeks. 

We’re halfway through January, so it’s time to start talking about market predictions for Q1 and the rest of the year. While no one has a crystal ball, here’s what experts and enthusiasts see coming into view for 2023:

1. Home prices will rise, but slower than in years past. Realtor.com predicts an average increase of 5.4% nationwide.
2. Mortgage rates will hover around 7%, four percentage points higher than the historic lows of 2021. 
3. Thanks to the uptick in rates, buyers will have less buying power in 2023. Some will consider creative ways to pursue homeownership, like pooling their resources to buy with friends and family, a trend experts first noticed in the spring of 2022. 
4. Inventory will trail pre-pandemic levels but will be up 22.8% giving buyers more options to choose from and far less competition than in past years.  
5. Homeowners in a position to do so will look to rent their low-mortgage-rate homes and step into the role of landlord. With rental rates predicted to increase faster than home values, renting out a home will be lucrative in 2023.

DM me if you want to chat about what these predictions mean if you’re looking to buy or sell in 2023. I’d love to connect!

Source: https://www.realtor.com/research/2023-national-housing-forecast/
Source: https://www.zillow.com/research/zillow-housing-predictions-2023-31714/

Feeling strong 13 days into the new year? Alright then, let’s see if you can sniff out the lie in this Two Truths and a Lie: Real Estate Edition: 

1. People spend more time researching a new car than they do a home loan. 
2. In a real estate transaction, the agent pockets the entire commission. 
3. FSBO homes sell for less than agent-assisted homes.  

Got your answer? Alright, scroll to see if you were right!

1. TRUTH. Average time spent researching a new car? 11 hours. A home loan? 8 hours.
2. LIE. An agent’s brokerage takes its portion (to be able to run the company to support its agents and keep the lights on), and then the agent gets his or her split. The split varies based on the firm and business model.
3. TRUTH. According to the NAR, FSBO homes sold at an average of $58,000 less than their agent-assisted counterparts.

The data has spoken, and if you're planning to sell, the countdown is on!
According to Zillow:
If you want to sell quickly - list mid-March.
If you want to sell for max profit - shoot for late April.
(And if you're the over-achiever type, list on a Thursday - the best day of the week for a listing to go live.)

With that in mind, here's a rundown of what you need to knock out between now and then to prep your home for market (with an estimate of how long each step takes).

- Schedule a seller consult with a trusted realtor: 1 week
- Make suggested repairs, declutter, and stage: 2-6 weeks.
- Meet with a realtor to set a listing price and schedule listing photos: 1-2 weeks
- List your home on the MLS: 1-2 days
- Wait for an offer: 51 days. (average days on market, October 2022 (Link: https://www.noradarealestate.com/blog/should-i-sell-my-house-now/)
- Negotiate: 3-5 days
- Prepare for inspection and appraisal: 1-2 months
- Close on your home: 1 day

You can sell your home in as little as 8-10 weeks, depending on how quickly you receive an offer. Want help or have questions about selling? DM me today!

Missing that time in Sicily, Italy(visiting different places without having to plan much)before Kaz was born. Being a mom is wanting the freedom before you had kids but knowing that I can’t live without them. 从此心里多了一份牵挂，只能看着以前的照片怀念当年说走就走的自由。

Who doesn’t love a good timeline? And this one? It’s just for all you homebuyers. 

- Find a trusted real estate agent: 1-2 weeks
- Get a pre-approval letter: 1-2 weeks
- Come up with your non-negotiables list: 5 minutes to 3-5 days
- Tour homes: 2 weeks - 6 months
- Make an offer and negotiate the deal: 3-5 days
- Get your loan approved and have an appraisal and inspection: 1-2 months
- Close on your home: 1 day

On the quick end of things buying a home could be your reality in as little as 10 weeks. I’m ready if you are — DM me and let’s get started!

What is homestead exemption? How do you qualify and how do you apply?

Oh, hey there, first Monday of 2023! 👋

Let's start of the new year with this quote from James Clear: "Goals are good for setting a direction but systems are best for making progress."

As we kick off the first week of the new year, I'm keeping in mind what systems I need to put in place to help me reach my 2023 goals. Swipe for some ideas when it comes to reaching your real estate goals.

Have some good goals for 2023? Share them below!

With just 4 DAYS LEFT IN 2022, I wanted to wrap up this year with a celebratory and reflective 5-Day New Year’s Countdown and I challenge YOU to join me!

I'm putting my thoughts here to help remind me where I’ve been and to let you know you’re not alone if you’re still trying to figure out this crazy journey of life.

Without further ado:

DAY 4: Five Lessons Learned in 2022

1. Everything in life is negotiation, including real estate.
2. Deciding what you want is often the most difficult step. But once you know where you are going, the road reveals itself.
3. Sometimes when you try something it’s a big, fat failure. That doesn’t say anything about you, your gifts, or your worth.
4. Being a mom is wanting the freedom before you had kids. But knowing you could not live without them. #2022

With just 4 DAYS LEFT IN 2022, I wanted to wrap up this year with a celebratory and reflective 5-Day New Year’s Countdown and I challenge YOU to join me!

I'm putting my thoughts here to help remind me where I’ve been and to let you know you’re not alone if you’re still trying to figure out this crazy journey of life.

Without further ado:

DAY 4: Five Lessons Learned in 2022

1. Everything in life is negotiation, including real estate.
2. Deciding what you want is often the most difficult step. But once you know where you are going, the road reveals itself.
3. Sometimes when you try something it’s a big, fat failure. That doesn’t say anything about you, your gifts, or your worth.
4. Being a mom is wanting the freedom before you had kids. But knowing you could not live without them.
#2022 #2023

Ever wonder how much is it to add square footage to a home?
DM to know more ☺️

Did you know the month of May has the rep for being the best time of year to sell? A ten-year analysis of home sales shows sellers see a 12.6% boost above home market value during May.

So, sure. Look towards May. But here’s the thing. It takes more than the right month to get top dollar. It'll take careful planning and preparation — and that ain’t gonna happen overnight. 

So…if you’re thinking of selling this spring — March, April, or May — here are 8 things you can knock out NOW that will make it all worthwhile come spring. 

8 To-Do’s to Prep Your Home to Sell this Spring

1) Declutter, donate, and organize your closets, drawers, and attics.
2) Clean out the garage and consider painting the walls and floor.
3) Identify major repairs and make a plan to fix them one by one.
4) Ensure that major appliances are in working condition. 
5) Focus painting efforts - think entryway, foyer, kitchen, and bathrooms.
6) Replace your house numbers and mailbox to make it easy for sellers to find your home.
7) Clear out winter debris little by little.
8) Reach out to your agent (me!) If you're out of the area, I can refer you to a great agent.

Selling your home in 2023? Let’s partner together to maximize your profits. DM me to get started!

Let's talk about red flags to look out for when looking at homes!

🚩 The price is low - suspiciously low. 
🚩 The foundation is cracked. 
🚩 It smells damp, musty, or like an overload of air freshener.
🚩 Several of the neighboring houses are for sale.
🚩 Water stains on the ceiling.

What did I forget? Comment a red flag you've seen in a house before 👇 🚩

ATTN: HOMEOWNERS: Think you need a big budget, a fancy office, or lots of hustle to make money with your home?

You don’t! Check out these six income streams exclusively for homeowners:

→ Rent your home for productions. Check out websites like PeerSpace or Home Studio List to rent out your space for photo or video productions.
→ Consider a roommate. If you’re single or your significant other is on board, put the call out for a roommate. You can cover as much as 30% of your housing costs each month.
→ Renovate a space to rent. If you have the space and live in an area that allows it, finish that room over your garage or create a basement apartment to rent.
→ Store other people’s stuff. A storage unit runs over $100 per month. Use your extra space to help others save while making a little extra cash. 
→ Lease your driveway or parking spot. If parking is prime in your neighborhood, rent a spot to neighbors who have more than one set of wheels.
→ Start a pet-sitting business. Use your spacious backyard and love of four-legged friends to make some extra cash. Plus, you can choose your own schedule.

Do you have a side hustle out of your home? Share where you’ve found success in the comments below.

You when you’re watching HGTV: A fixer-upper would be fun!
You any other time: Forget the dust and debris. I want new. 

It’s easy to glamorize buying and then renovating to your liking. The reality is life is full, you are busy, and new construction may be exactly what fits your family and lifestyle. Just think of the perks of new construction:

- Low maintenance
- High-efficiency appliances and HVAC
- The latest smart home technology features
- Option to choose the floor plan and finishes if early enough

Wanna chat if new is right for you? Send me a DM, and let’s connect! I’d love to show you what’s up and coming in our city. 

NOVEMBER MARKET UPDATE for all residential(including condo) in King County and Snohomish County.

Are we in a seller’s market or buyer’s market?

Homeowner’s insurance — you can’t live without it. (Well, okay, technically you could as it's not required by law, but if you have a mortgage, it’s pretty much a non-negotiable). 

You gotta buy it anyway, so here are some things to keep in mind when shopping around:

1. Get enough insurance to cover rising construction costs should you need to rebuild.
2. Consider flood insurance even if you think you don’t need it — floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S.
3. Call a disaster-prone area home? Don’t assume you’re covered. You may need endorsements or additional policies. Ask an agent you trust what’s best for your address.
4. Inventory all your stuff. If you ever need to file a claim, an inventory will make the process quick and accurate. 
5. Stretch your liability coverage. Liability coverage is affordable and smart in today’s litigious world. It’ll pay for legal defense and settlements if someone sues you over injuries or property damage.

Want help or a referral for navigating the insurance process? I’m here. Shoot me a DM!

Umm. Don't panic...but if you’re thinking of selling FSBO, you may be giving buyers a Black Friday Deal on your home. Here’s why: 

The average FSBO home sold for $260,000 in 2020.
The average agent-assisted home sold for $318,000 in 2020.

That’s a difference of $58,000, folks! Factor in agent commissions ($19K), and you still have a difference of $40,000 when you use the professional services of an agent.

(Not to mention agent homes sold on average 20 days faster than FSBO listings that were forced to renew on the MLS.)

The Black Friday takeaway? If you’re thinking of selling, don’t leave thousands on the table that should be in your pocket. 

Work with an agent who knows your neighborhood, the market, and how to price your home just right. 

Looking for an agent like that? I’d love to help! Send me a message, and let’s chat.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today I’m feeling brave, bold, and fired up to tackle one of the world’s biggest problems: 

Taming the Tupperware monster.

Sure, you can install a Lazy Susan in your cabinet, but there are cheaper and quicker ways to stay just as organized:

- Beware of Tupperware creep. Do you really need 24 teeny-tiny containers? Nope, you don’t. 
- Organize by brand. If you don’t, it’ll take FOR-ever to find a match.
- Repurpose old magazine organizers. Deep and roomy cabinets? Use magazine organizers to keep lids neat and tidy. 
- Use under-shelf baskets or hanging pocket organizers for lids. You can pick both up at Home Depot, Amazon, or Bed Bath & Beyond for under $10.
- Divide a larger drawer into smaller compartments for lids and containers. Use a mesh organizer or a piece of wood or cardboard cut specifically to your dimensions. 

Pride yourself on being an org expert? Got a Tupperware hack that'll change the world? Drop it in the comments!

Have you ever wondered what fees buyers pay besides a down payment? Well, here’s a starting point and estimated costs:

- Earnest money - 1-2% of the sale price.
- Closing costs - 1-3% of the home’s value
- Mortgage origination - 0.5-1% of the loan amount
- Appraisal and home inspection fee - $800-1000 each
- Credit check - $20-30
- Title search - $75-200
- Title insurance - 0.5-1% of the sale price.

If this post has given you a firmer grasp on what to expect, then you might be interested in a buyer consult — a non-committal discussion about your needs, wants, and timeline.

Send me a DM, and we’ll set something up. I look forward to hearing from you!

Have you ever wondered what fees buyers pay besides a down payment? Well, here’s a starting point and estimated costs:

- Earnest money - 1-2% of the sale price.
- Closing costs - 3-6% of the home’s value
- Mortgage origination - 0.5-1% of the loan amount
- Appraisal and home inspection fee - $300-500 each
- Credit check - $20-30
- Title search - $75-200
- Title insurance - 0.5-1% of the sale price.

If this post has given you a firmer grasp on what to expect, then you might be interested in a buyer consult — a non-committal discussion about your needs, wants, and timeline.

Send me a DM, and we’ll set something up. I look forward to hearing from you!