Sandy and Company Real Estate Video Blog

How Do I Prepare My Home for Showings?

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Over half of the listings are sitting 60+ days without an offer. These three fixes can change how buyers see your home the moment they walk in.

Most sellers think their home is ready for showings. The kitchen is clean, the beds are made, and it looks fine. But “fine” is exactly the problem.

Buyers are walking through five or six homes in a single weekend, and “fine” doesn’t get the offer. The homes that sell are the ones that feel right the moment someone walks through the door.

A few years ago, you could list a home that wasn’t fully prepared and still get offers. That’s not the case anymore. According to Redfin, over half of listings right now are sitting 60 days or more without going under contract. Buyers are more selective, and if something feels off, they move on.

Here are three things you can do right now to make your home show at its best.

1. Fix what buyers touch before they notice it. Before you think about staging or cosmetic upgrades, walk through your home and pay attention to the things buyers will physically interact with.

Loose doorknobs, sticky doors, dripping faucets, burned-out bulbs, cracked outlet covers, slow drains. These are the details that buyers notice immediately, and when the small things feel neglected, they start wondering what else has been ignored.

These are cheap, fast fixes. A trip to the hardware store and an afternoon of your time can completely change how your home is perceived. A home that feels well-maintained gives buyers a reason to keep looking. A home that feels neglected gives them a reason to leave.

“‘Fine’ doesn’t get the offer.”

2. Depersonalize so buyers can picture themselves living there. Your home needs to feel like it could be their home, not yours. That means taking down family photos, packing away personal collections, clearing off countertops and surfaces, and removing any bold or highly specific decor that might not match a buyer’s taste.

The goal is clean, bright, and open. Think model home. According to NAR’s 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 83% of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize a property as their future home, and 30% of sellers’ agents said staged homes sold faster, with another 19% saying the difference was significant.

You don’t necessarily need to hire a professional stager. Start by removing anything that makes the home feel specifically yours and anything that makes the rooms feel smaller or more cluttered than they are.

3. Build a 15-minute showing routine and stick to it. You might have dozens of showings before you get the right offer. You can’t deep clean every single time. What you can do is build a quick, repeatable routine that you run before every showing: beds made, counters cleared, lights on, blinds open, trash out, pets out.

The sellers who get the best results treat the showing day like a system, not a scramble. That consistency is what keeps your home looking its best, from showing number one all the way through to the one that gets the offer.

And one more thing: leave during the showing. Buyers can’t relax and really evaluate the home when the owner is in the room. Let their agent handle it and your agent will follow up to ask if they had any questions. Since listing agents don’t go to the showings.

The bottom line. In today’s market, how your home shows is the difference between getting offers and watching your listing sit. Buyers are comparing your home against everything else they’ve seen that week, and the homes that feel move-in ready, well-maintained, and easy to picture themselves in are the ones getting the strongest attention.

Fix the small stuff, depersonalize, and build a routine that keeps your home consistent across every showing. Those three things alone can change the outcome.

If you’re getting ready to list your home or it’s already on the market and you want to make sure it’s set up for the best possible showings, we’d love to help. Call us at 425-422-7372 or email us at Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com. You can also visit SandyAndCompanyVideos.com for more tips and market updates.

They Waited Decades For Their First Home Together

Thu, 21 May 2026 06:00:00 +0000

After years of renting, this couple got their LNI settlement, called a lender, and landed a one-level home near Banks Lake with their buddy around the corner.

Hey, my friend, this is Sandy with Sandy And Company, and I wanted to tell you about one of my favorite couples that we helped at the end of last year, and they were no spring chickens. And I can say that because I got a few years on me too. But they had waited a long time to buy their first house together.

Wasn’t his first house, he had had one in a younger lifetime, but this was her first house. They had been renting from family and it was good. They were helpful, but it was just time to be in their own house where they could paint their own colors and just really be in a home of their own.

They were retired. Actually, I think she was just about to, but he was retired, not by choice, but he had been doing heavy machinery, mechanics in the 80s, and his body had just quit. So he was waiting on an Land I assessment and settlement and all of that.

And about 2 or 3 years ago, their buddy had moved over to Banks Lake in eastern Washington.

And that’s right about when we started talking. And it was a great place to move to, it was out of the city, it was out of the rain, and it was near some pretty phenomenal fishing.

So when he finally got his settlement from L and I, he made the smart move. He called me and then called my lender and found that they could make life work on that income. And in the small eastern Washington town. And he got approved. So we took a day and we looked at 3 or 4 houses, and I wasn’t sure if any one really stood out in particular, but after they had talked, there was one that really stood out.

It was a one-level home with a big kitchen and a big garage and a small view of the lake, and it was right around the corner from their buddy. So match made in heaven.

“Four weeks later, they got their keys.”

And since then, they’ve spent the holidays together and all without that long drive over the past, pretty much the way retirement should be, wouldn’t you think?

If you know someone who might be a little late to the party, but they’ve got a nest egg or maybe a windfall, and they really want to make that count, share this video with them.

Let them know that we would love to walk alongside and help them make that smart decision

that will make a big difference in their life.

If you found this video helpful, it would really help us if you would either hit that subscribe or follow button, whichever one you’re looking on. And if you are looking for real estate help in the greater Seattle area, or even in eastern Washington or across the state,

then we’re glad to talk or meet with you to share how we can help you with your important real estate decisions.

Call or text me at this number right here (425) 422-7372, or direct message me below Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com and we will get right back to you. You can also visit sandyandcompanyvideos.com for more videos.

Have a super blessed day and I am looking forward to talking with you.

This House Was About to Back Up... Literally! (but they downsized just in time)

Tue, 05 May 2026 07:00:00 +0000

They'd spent years pouring money into repairs and were getting ready to retire. Downsizing was the plan, but they had no idea what the inspection would uncover.

Sometimes the best real estate decisions come down to timing, and my Marysville clients are proof of that. They’d bought their home from me about 13 years ago, a one-level house just above the Cedarcrest golf course. It was the right home for them at the time, but over the last couple of years, the house began to demand more than they could comfortably give.

The repairs kept coming. They put on a new roof. They had to clear out the crawl space due to rats and water damage, and install a sump pump. Every time they started getting a little ahead in their savings, something else went wrong, and the money went right back into the house.

With retirement getting closer and their income not likely to increase much further, they knew it was time to make a change. They needed to stop taking care of all that square footage, the yard, and everything that comes with it, and get into something more manageable.

One shot to get it right. When they called me, I went through the house and gave them a small, focused list of things to take care of. My contractor came through and handled a siding repair, and when they saw the bill, their reaction was “Was that it?” They were used to every repair starting at least $1,000. That was a big relief.

They knew they had one shot to get the house ready, so they did exactly what we asked: got everything spiffed up, and we brought in our photographer to shoot video to showcase the home on YouTube. The goal was simple: make sure everyone looking for a home near the Cedar Crest golf course knew this one was available.

“They were so relieved they hadn’t waited one more year to sell and get out from under it.”

Five offers in four days. We listed the house, blanketed the area with social media and marketing, and made sure every buyer who should see it did. Within four days, we had five offers, all over the listing price. My sellers weren’t nervous about the inspection either, because they knew they’d already brought everything up to snuff.

Then the inspection found something nobody expected. There was a root ball growing in the front of the house, right underneath an old garden bed area. There wasn’t even a tree there anymore, but that root ball had grown so large that it broke the sewer pipe.

My sellers were so relieved they hadn’t waited one more year. If they had, they would have been dealing with a sewage backup into the house, all the damage that comes with it, and the cost of fixing it on top of everything else. Instead, they handled the repair quickly for their buyer so the new owner could have a stress-free, move-in-ready home. The buyer paid $20,000 over asking because they knew they were getting a solid house, and they were right.

A new chapter, on their terms. My clients are now in an apartment and loving it. They’re going to rent for a couple of years, do some traveling, and when they’re ready to settle down, they’ll give me a call, and we’ll look at condos in the area so they can stay close to Seattle for the music scene, be set up for retirement life, and live comfortably within a budget they know they can handle.

If you know someone who needs the pressure of homeownership to go away so they can get into something that actually fits their life, less pressure, less hassle, less cost, and more joy, I’d love to help them with that next step. And if you need real estate help in the greater Seattle area, give me a call or text at 425-422-7372, email me at Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com, or visit sandyandcompany.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Not All Homes Are the Same

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Whether it's the finances, the function, or just a feeling that something needs to shift, it might be time to ask what your next chapter looks like

There’s a saying I love: there’s a seat for every butt. And when it comes to housing, that’s exactly how I see it. There are so many different ways people love to live, and no two situations are the same.

Some people love to rent. Some people will only buy. And even within buying, there are different paths. You might own your own land and your own home. You might lease the land. You might find the perfect fit in a manufactured home park.

The home I’m standing in front of in this video is in a senior manufactured home park, and for the right person, it’s a wonderful option. The point is, there are more ways to make homeownership work than most people realize, and the right answer is the one that fits your life, your finances, and your goals.

Everyone is looking for a place to call home. Maybe you found yours 20 years ago and it’s still perfect. Maybe you found it a couple of years ago and you’re settled in. But maybe things have changed. Maybe the finances feel different. Maybe the function of the home doesn’t match how you’re living now. Maybe it’s just a feeling that something needs to shift.

If that’s where you are, I want to encourage you to at least ask the question: what would it look like to do something else?

“What does home look like for you right now? What does it feel like? How much does it cost? And who do you need to be around to make it feel like home?”

That doesn’t mean you have to move tomorrow. It just means giving yourself permission to explore what’s out there and what might fit better. What does home look like for you right now? What does it feel like? How much does it cost? And who do you need to be around to make it feel like home?

These are the kinds of conversations I have with people all the time, and they’re some of my favorites. Whether you’re thinking about selling, thinking about buying, or just starting to wonder if a change might be right, I’d love to talk it through with you.

I’ve been helping smart homeowners find the place that welcomes them in the door for a long time now, and I would love to be that resource for you.

If any of this is sparking a thought, reach out. Call or text me at (425) 422-7372 or email me at Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com. You can also visit sandyandcompanyvideos.com for more helpful content. Let’s get you home.

At 21, he's buying a condo and with no money down

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

If you’re in your 20s and think homeownership is impossible, here’s how one 21-year-old made it happen with a zero-down program.

Are you around 20 years old and thinking a home of your own is completely out of reach?

I met a young man last week who’s only 21, and he was buying a condo. He didn’t have a stockpile of money. In fact, he was using the Washington State Bond Program, a zero-down program to help first-time homebuyers.

Let me tell you why I was so pleased for that young man.

But before that, did you know that the average homebuyer right now is between 38 and 40 years old, give or take?

I was genuinely excited for him, and here’s why: did you know that the average homebuyer today is around 38 to 40 years old?

In the 1960s, that number was in the early 20s. By the 1980s, the first-time homebuyer was in their late 20s. In the early 2000s, it was the early 30s, and so on. We have taken longer and longer to buy our first home—and that’s exactly why I was so excited for him.

The best way to make more money is by having more time.

In 1995, we bought a home for $120,000. It’s worth roughly $600,000 now, give or take.

Did we think it was a lot of money? Oh, yeah.

The danger in waiting is that you don’t have as much time for your equity to build.

“The danger in waiting is losing the years your equity could be growing”

According to Realtor.com, the average renter has about $10,000 net worth for everything they own: cars, personal items, and money in the bank. On the other hand, the average homeowner has about $430,000 of net worth. Where do you think all that money is? It’s not all in the bank. It’s in their house.

So if you’re looking for a way to make more money over time, homeownership is really the best way to go.

Back to my young man: he’s a smart guy and a hard worker. He works in HVAC and has been living at home, paying a pretty decent amount to his parents, more than most pay.

As soon as he was able, he called a real estate agent and asked, “What would it take for me to buy this?” Then he took a class. Next week, he gets the keys.

If this sounds like you and you’d really like to know, “What can I do to get into my own home, start building equity, and have something I can sell down the road to move into the next thing?” We’re teaching another online class this month.

It’s an evening class, and it is free.

New Homebuyers Online Class

When: March 18 & 19, 2026

You can even be smarter than the young man I met. He took the class after he had already signed the papers, was under contract, and had a closing date. You can start before you get that far and learn how to:

Choose your Realtor
Choose your lender
Choose your home

We’ll also talk about what it means to take care of a home and get ready for homeownership, all for free over a couple of evenings.

Click this link if you want to sign up.

If you’re in the greater Seattle area, send me a text, an email, or a DM, and let’s talk about how we can help you get started. Let’s see what we can do to get you into your first home and start on the path to homeownership, equity, and a much greater net worth.

We’re passionate about helping people build stability and wealth, one smart home decision at a time.

If this sounds like you or someone you know and love, please share this. Let’s get the word out and help people get into homes earlier so they can be better off in the long run.

If there’s anything else we can help you with regarding your real estate needs, whether it’s information on how to sell your home, how to get ready, or details about our area, please reach out: message, call, or text us at (425) 422-7372 or Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com. Let’s talk about how we can help.

Our motto is making lives better. How can we help you with yours?

How to Know — and How to Access Your Home’s Value to Support Your Next Chapter

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to move or stay, these two questions can guide your decision.

Hey there, friends! I’d love to share a conversation I just had with a lovely couple I’ve been talking with on and off for probably ten years.

He said his wife had been having health problems and they were discussing getting hospice involved.

He wanted to know, first of all, how to know when it’s time to move out of your house. For most people, there are two factors:

First, can you handle the upkeep of the home and yard and keep all that space functioning for you? Do you have the physical ability to do the work, or the financial ability to hire someone to do it? Even when you hire help, it still requires energy and attention.

Second, do you have the physical ability to manage daily life in your house? For many people, the biggest issues are too many stairs or an unsafe bathing situation. Some people simply can’t get into the tub anymore and need to change their space.

If you’re tired of those barriers, it’s time to consider a home that fits you better, whether a smaller, single-level place of your own, a senior community where you don’t have to worry about repairs and yard work, or, if you’re not ready for a senior community, perhaps an apartment. Those are some options.

I told him I can’t decide what’s right for him, but I knew he really wanted to stay in his home as long as possible, which had been their goal all along.

“Can your house still take care of you the way you once took care of it?”

His next question was:

How do you get the money to make this work? How do you make your equity work for you or otherwise use your house to help meet your needs? There are a few tools. I’m not the one who assembles them, but I have a team and connections to people who can help.

One option is a line of credit. It requires monthly payments, so you need to consider how to manage that.

Another option is a reverse mortgage if you have enough equity. In their case, they could access up to half the home’s value, which might give them what they need. They were thinking they might need about $100,000 for the next year to cover medical expenses and other costs, since healthcare and related needs can get expensive, and their house is paid off.

A line of credit can also be structured to provide those funds.

I’m honored to come alongside these wonderful people and give them resources to help make life work as best as possible. When we face challenging situations, sometimes we don’t get to make the choice we’d prefer; that’s part of life.

Those of us who’ve come this far usually recognize that. Within the options available, it’s an honor for me to help people find ways to live the life they want as much as possible. Let me help you research which option works best.

He said, essentially, “I know it’s your job to sell houses and you get paid for that. Can I pay you for this information so we can make the right choice?”

I stopped him and said, “This is my joy. This is my heart; to help you do what’s important. If I help people, I will eventually sell a house and provide for my family. I’m honored to help you understand the best options and resources at no charge.”

If you’re trying to figure out how best to live, whether staying in your current home, moving to a simpler lifestyle and smaller home, or giving up your house for a more manageable living arrangement, I’d be honored to talk with you and see what makes sense.

If there’s anything we can do to help you with your home or real estate needs, message or call us at (425) 422-7372 or Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com, so we can be of service. Whether you need help now or a few years from now, we’d be honored to stay in touch and be a resource.

Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy, and if we can help with your real estate needs, reach out. We’re here for you.

Our motto is “making lives better.” How can we help you with yours?

A Step-by-Step Virtual Homebuyer Class for Washington Buyers

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Our two-night Zoom session covers every detail you need to go from browsing listings to holding your keys.

We have some exciting news!

Howard and I are going to be running some first-time homebuyer classes, not necessarily just for first-timers, but also for anyone who needs a refresher on how home buying works.

On February 18 and 19, that’s Wednesday and Thursday night, we’re going to be doing a 2.5-hour Zoom session, and we’ll tell you all about what it takes to purchase a home.

These classes also qualify for the Washington State Housing Finance Commission credit. If you’re planning to use a state bond loan, you will need to take this homebuyer class.

This will enable you to access a zero-down loan, allowing you to purchase anywhere in Washington State. It’s a pretty nifty program.

Whether or not I’m your agent, and whether or not Howard is your lender, we can help you with that class, provide more information, and get you on your merry way.

“Buying a home starts with understanding the process, not guessing your way through it.”

If you’re not already under contract and want to learn more, message me, call me, or text me. Let’s get you on the schedule for that.

I want to share everything about home buying so that you know our goal is to help everyone get into homes. This way, you can start putting your money where your home is, not where your landlord’s is.

I’m super excited to see you there. Again, here are the details for the buyer seminar:

First-Time Buyer Seminar
Dates: February 18 and February 19
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Format: Live Zoom class

Let me know if you’d like to join us. And if you already own a home or know someone who would benefit from a class like this, feel free to pass it along.

If you have any questions about this event or any other real estate matters, message, call, or text me at (425) 422-7372 or Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com.

Have a super blessed day. Stay safe, stay healthy, and we’re excited to assist you and your people with their home needs.

Comfort and Market Stability in 2026?

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

A warm home is more than just heat; it’s a feeling of comfort, peace of mind, and making confident moves in a changing market.

I want to talk to you about what’s hot when it’s not.

As we enter January 2026, it’s cold out there, but fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way inside our homes. Here are three things that I think are amazing when the weather is cold, and we want to make things warm and inviting inside our home:

First, I love a good fire. I really enjoy the smell and the crackle of the logs when you have a wood fireplace. But there is nothing that beats being able to turn on the flames with a flick of a switch.

I confess, I am really fond of having a gas fireplace. It brings me cozy warmth when I’m really cold.

The second thing is my kitchen. When we get those ovens heating up, and we’re making cookies or bread or whatever else tickles our fancy, it warms the whole house. Even better, whether you’re cooking with someone or doing it in anticipation of the people you love coming home, that just makes it even better.

Give me some heat in the kitchen, good food, and the people I love to share it with; that is heat in my home.

“Comfort at home changes how we see everything, including the market.”

The third item is a bit more personal. If you love a good, steamy shower or bath, that is another source of warmth on a chilly night. Run the tub and just slip in because there is nothing like that heat completely surrounding you and warming you up.

We’re in the Pacific Northwest. It’s chilly, but it doesn’t have to be in our home. So if you have this, enjoy it. Remember, using what you love really fosters the contentment of a good life.

And that’s what we love: having our homes reflect that life is good. It inspires us to help connect you with the right home that fits you. If you don’t have that, let’s talk. Whether it’s your first home or your next best fit, our joy is to connect you with a home you feel good coming home to, where you can share love, warmth, and joy.

If you’re worried about how cold the market is out there, 2026 is projected to be a year of stability. With stability comes better options.

If you have a home already and need to move up to the next best fit, we can work with that next seller to get you what you need and sell your last home. If you’re looking for your first home, we’re getting more closing costs covered and negotiating on price. This is the year that, if you can do it, let’s make it happen.

Sarah and I are here, excited to help you make this transition. We’re ready to make it fabulous for you. Let’s bring the heat home in 2026. Message, call, or text me at (425) 422-7372 or Sandy@SandyAndCompany.com. We’re easy to reach, and we’re glad to help you make your heart your home.

Have a super blessed day. Stay safe, stay healthy.

Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Oh, what a year it’s been!

2025 has been a wild ride with some ups and downs. Some were lovely. Others we’re relieved to have behind us.

But isn’t that every year? (to some degree…)

Isn’t that life?

Thank you for being in our lives so that whether in high markets or low, high life or low, we know we have each other’s backs and are glad to see each other’s fronts.

We’re so blessed with family, clients, and colleagues who all feel like friends. Friends we trust and are grateful for in so many ways. We can’t and wouldn’t want to do life without you all.

We wish you all a Christmas full of love and support and the confidence that you’re living a good life.

A rich life.

Rich with friends and family and most importantly the Christ Child who came to Earth long ago for you.

Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years

Sandy and Sarah

A Special Thanksgiving Message to All of You

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Your trust and support mean everything to us.

Hey there, my friends!

As we approach Thanksgiving this year, I started thinking about our kitchen table, and I’m coming to you from my kitchen table.

I want you to think about who will be around your table, whether it’s on Thanksgiving Day or in the days before and after. Our family is known for gathering at various times.

Think about those people: if you weren’t at their table, or if they weren’t at yours, it would truly be felt. We are so grateful for them because these are the very relationships for which we are living our lives.

I want to express my gratitude to all of you for allowing us to care for you in your homes. Sarah and I are incredibly thankful for allowing us to take care of the people around our own tables. We are grateful that our lives have intertwined.

We’re able to provide help, service, and benefit to you, and at the same time, you offer help, service, and benefit to us. It’s a perfect relationship, and we appreciate it deeply.

This Thanksgiving, whether surrounded by all the people you wish to have at your table or noticing an empty chair, I encourage you to take a moment to express gratitude for what you have, for what you have experienced, and to look forward to the love, dreams, and joy that awaits you.

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving!

As always, if you need anything related to real estate, we’re here to help. Free to reach out at (425) 422-7372 or sandy@sandyandcompany.com.

Thank you so much for all that you have contributed to Sarah and me this year, and have a blessed day.