“There’s So Much Going On in the World Right Now” — Should You Wait to Buy or Sell?
By The Olsen Team
We hear it all the time:
“There’s just so much going on in the world right now — maybe we should wait to buy/sell.”
First of all: You’re not wrong. There is always something going on in the world. Inflation. Elections. Mortgage rates. Earthquakes. Aliens. (Okay, maybe not aliens — yet.)
But here’s the thing: There’s always something going on. If we all waited for the world to “settle down,” we’d still be in our first apartments wondering if shag carpet will ever make a comeback.
The Myth of the “Perfect Time”
Waiting for perfect is a recipe for real estate paralysis. While you're waiting for global peace, ideal interest rates, and Jupiter to be in retro-not-grade, you could be building equity, upgrading your lifestyle, or finally getting that second bathroom you’ve been . ...

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? ...