By The Olsen Team

You’ve cleaned, staged, decluttered, repaired, and finally signed on the dotted line. You’re ready to sell your home — or so you thought.

What many sellers don’t expect is how emotional the process can be. After all, you’re not just selling a house — you’re parting with a space filled with memories, routines, and chapters of your life. Whether you’ve lived there five years or fifty, letting go isn’t just about boxes and paperwork. It’s about emotional preparedness — and it matters more than you think.

Let’s talk about how to handle the emotional side of selling your home so that you can move forward with clarity, confidence, and maybe even a few happy tears.

Expect a Rollercoaster of Feelings

Selling your home is often a mix of excitement, anxiety, grief, and relief. One moment, you’re daydreaming about your next adventure. The next, you’re getting choked up in the h. ...

Zillow Said What? Why Online Estimates Are Often Wrong
By The Olsen Team
We hear it all the time:
“But Zillow says my home is worth $X!”
“Zillow says this house is underpriced!”
Or our personal favorite:
“Zillow says the Zestimate went up overnight — should I sell right now?!”
Ah, Zillow. The real estate website we love to browse (and sometimes love to hate). While online home value estimates can be a fun starting point, they’re often about as accurate as asking your neighbor’s dog for investment advice. Let’s break down why you should take online estimates — like Zillow’s Zestimate — with a healthy grain of salt.

Quick Disclaimer: It’s Not Just Zillow
We’re using Zillow as a familiar example here, but this applies to most online home valuation sites: Realtor.com, Redfin, Trulia, and the many “What’s My Home Worth?” widgets you’ll find online. Almost all . ...

Closing Costs: The Not-So-Sneaky Ninja Fees Lurking at the Finish Line
By The Olsen Team
You’ve accepted an offer. The buyer loves the home. You're halfway packed and dreaming of your next adventure. But wait—just when you thought you were home free, here come the closing costs, quietly tiptoeing in like unexpected guests at a wedding buffet.
We’re here to shed some light on these mysterious numbers — so you don’t get blindsided by fees dressed in polite paperwork.
So… What Are Closing Costs?
In real estate, closing costs are the final expenses paid at the end of a home sale transaction. They’re the official bow on the gift-wrapped experience of selling your home. For sellers, these costs typically range from 6% to 10% of the home’s sale price.
Think of closing costs like the service charge on a fancy meal — only with more paperwork and fewer breadsticks.
Common Seller Closing Costs:
Let’s break it down:

Title . ...

Confessions of a Real Estate Agent: What Buyers Really Think During Showings
By The Olsen Team
If you’ve ever wondered what’s going through a buyer’s head during a home showing, buckle up — because we’re about to spill the (somewhat awkward, occasionally hilarious) truth. As seasoned Kitsap County real estate agents, we’ve walked through hundreds of homes with clients. From the moment they step through the front door, buyers are forming opinions — faster than you can say “popcorn ceiling.”
Here’s what buyers are really thinking during showings… and what it means for you as a seller.

?? "Wow, This Place Smells Like… Something"
Buyers notice smells immediately — pet odors, strong cooking aromas, mildew, or an overuse of air fresheners. A neutral, clean scent makes a better first impression than a lavender tsunami.
?? "What’s Behind That Door?"
Closets and storage spaces matter. Buyers will pe? ...

By The Olsen Team
When you're house hunting, open houses can be both exciting and overwhelming. They offer a chance to explore potential homes in a low-pressure environment, but they can also hide red flags if you’re not paying attention. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, knowing what to look for — and what to avoid — can save you time, money, and heartache.
What to Look For at an Open House
1. Overall Condition
Pay close attention to the home's overall upkeep. Look beyond the fresh paint and staged furniture. Are there cracks in the ceiling? Uneven floors? Water stains or signs of mold? These could indicate costly issues like foundation problems or roof leaks.
2. Layout and Flow
Is the layout functional for your lifestyle? Picture how you’d use each space. Are the bedrooms a good distance from noisy areas? Is there enough storage? Natural flow is hard to change without major renovations, so be honest about whether the setu! ...