She Thought She Wanted to Sell — But It Wasn’t About the House

I recently started working with a homeowner who was pretty set on selling her house. She wasn’t in a rush, but she made it clear: she didn’t like her home anymore, and she was ready for a change. She had a ton of equity, a solid down payment lined up, and her dream was to move closer to her family in Mukilteo or Lynnwood.

We talked through everything — what she was looking for in her next home, how much she was hoping to spend, and how far her equity would realistically go in this market. She also had one of those rare low-interest-rate mortgages that’s nearly impossible to match right now. And once we started running the numbers, it became clear: she’d either have to settle for a much smaller home or increase her budget significantly to get even close to what she already had.

That’s when she started hesitating. Over the course of a few weeks and several back-and-forth conversations, I could tell something still wasn’t sitting right with her — and it wasn’t just the financials.

Eventually, through one of those deeper chats, we landed on it: the yard.

She thought she hated her house, but what she actually hated was that she felt powerless over what she could do with her own landscaping. She assumed the HOA wouldn’t allow changes based on what she’d read in the CC&Rs, so she never even tried. She felt stuck — like she had no control or freedom.

I asked if she had ever tried submitting a request, and she didn’t even know her HOA had a portal. We looked it up together, found the form, and submitted a request for the updates she wanted. And guess what? They approved it.

It was like a light switch flipped. That one friction point — the thing that made her feel like her house wasn’t hers — turned out to be solvable. Once that stress was removed and paired with the reality of what it would cost to start over in a new place, she felt at peace staying put.

Not everyone who wants to sell really needs to — sometimes, they just need someone to help untangle what’s actually not working. And sometimes, once that’s figured out, the best decision isn’t to move — it’s to take back control of where you are.

If you’ve been feeling like it might be time to move but you’re not exactly sure why — or the numbers just aren’t adding up — let’s talk it out.

Yes, I’m a real estate agent, and of course I love getting listings — but more than anything, my job is to understand your “why.” Sometimes the real problem isn’t the house itself, it’s something deeper that just needs a fresh perspective or a simple solution.

My mentor always told me that being a great agent isn’t just about selling homes — it’s about solving problems and always doing what’s truly in the client’s best interest.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure about your next step — I’m here.

🧠 Eyes Hurting from Scrolling Listings?

Are you exhausted from flipping through Zillow, Redfin, Realtor.com, and every other site trying to find something that fits your budget, needs, and wishlist?

You filter, scroll, save, delete, start over… and still end up staring at homes that don’t work for you.
Too small. Too much. Wrong location. Doesn’t even have a backyard. Ugh.

Let me save you the headache.

💡 What You Actually Want:

A list of homes that already match what you’re looking for —
✔️ Your price range
✔️ Your wishlist
✔️ Your dealbreakers
✔️ Your timeline

🔍 Here’s What I Do:

I’ll set up a custom MLS search — built just for you — using over 1,000+ filters in the MLS (yep, really).

You want:

• Homes with no HOA dues? Done.

• Only single-story homes? Absolutely.

• Only updated kitchens? New construction? Waterfront? Fixer-uppers with a 3-car garage and a view?
  → I can filter all of that.

You don’t need to waste another second scrolling through homes that you’d never consider. I’ll do the work for you and get listings sent straight to your inbox — in real time — based on exactly what you want (and nothing you don’t).

✍️ Ready for Your Custom Home List?

Click below and fill out the quick form — I’ll build your search personally and get your list going:

👉 Build My Custom Search

⚠️ Currently offering custom searches for homes in Snohomish & King County, Washington only.

Can You Switch Your Loan Type While House Hunting? Yep—Here’s How One Buyer Did It

We had an interesting situation come up recently on one of my condo listings in Everett, and it turned into a great learning opportunity.

A buyer came to view the condo with an FHA preapproval—but here’s the catch: the condo isn’t FHA-approved (like many condos in our area). I figured that would be the end of the road… but nope. That’s when Sage, the managing broker I work with, had a creative solution.

The lender introduced the HomeReady mortgage by Fannie Mae—a conventional loan that only requires 3% down and is available to many first-time homebuyers. The buyer just needs to take a simple online course to qualify.

Yes—You Can Switch Loan Programs Mid-Search

Most buyers don’t realize you’re not locked into your initial loan approval. If you’re working with a flexible lender, you may be able to pivot to a different loan type that works better for the property you’re trying to buy.

In this case, switching from FHA to a conventional loan option made it possible for this buyer to stay in the game.

💡 Bonus: Down Payment Assistance Might Also Be Available

We also shared these additional Washington State programs with the buyer:

• HomeReady Mortgage Info

• WSHFC Down Payment Assistance Programs

• Home Advantage

• House Key Opportunity Program

Many of these programs offer low-interest deferred loans to help cover down payments—some up to $15,000.

Takeaway for Buyers:

If you’re out home shopping and hit a snag with financing, don’t give up—there may be options you haven’t considered yet. The right lender can make a big difference and having a team that understands how to navigate these programs can open doors (literally).

Want to explore your options? I’m happy to connect you with a lender and help you understand what programs might be a fit based on your goals.

As I’ve been touring new construction homes lately, I’ve noticed a growing trend that I can’t get enough of: subtle Art Deco-inspired design elements. While the photos we all love showcase bold, dramatic colors and patterns, what I’m seeing in these new builds is much softer and more refined—a modern twist on classic Art Deco.

Instead of deep, moody hues, I’ve spotted gold geometric patterns blended beautifully with lighter tones. For instance, gold accents on white textured wallpaper are making waves right now. And let me tell you, textured wallpaper is the new star in home design! It adds such depth and character without overwhelming a space, and I’m loving how it pairs with the clean lines and bright, airy vibes of modern homes.

These design choices are all about balance. The Art Deco elements—from wallpapers to light fixtures and even curved furniture—are used as accents rather than dominating the room. This lighter approach still brings that timeless elegance and a touch of glamour, but it feels perfectly suited for today’s trends of creating warm, comfortable living spaces.

Personally, I’m a huge fan of seeing these touches woven throughout homes in a way that enhances the overall style without being too bold. It’s exciting to see new construction embracing these ideas while keeping things fresh and approachable.

If you’ve been dreaming of a home with a modern yet sophisticated aesthetic, these trends are definitely something to look for. Thinking about buying or selling in this market? Let’s chat—I’d love to help you find a home that feels as stylish and inviting as this trend!