The Art Of Rightsizing

This piece I wrote was originally published in the April issue of TBD.

Are you tired of the constant upkeep of a sprawling property or the daily stair climb? It might be time to embrace the transformative power of Rightsizing and step into a world of newfound independence.

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This piece I wrote was originally published in the May issue of South Walnut Creek Living Magazine.

What is Rightsizing: In a world where minimalism and flexibility are life goals, Rightsizing stands out as the savvy approach to shaping your surroundings for a fulfilling second act. Unlike downsizing, which focuses on reducing space and
possessions for simplification and financial reasons, Rightsizing offers a comprehensive strategy to optimize various aspects of life, including work, health, and family dynamics.

Americans are increasingly prioritizing simpler living with less clutter and square footage, whether it’s in a condo, townhome, or a house with a tailored layout, such as fewer bedrooms but a larger plot for gardening. Rightsizing isn’t just about saving money; it’s about gaining freedom, reducing stress, and creating a space with less clutter to enhance psychological well-being.

When determining quality-of-life decisions, research your desired location, property type, and budget to ensure a seamless Rightsizing experience. Don’t let market timing dictate your decision—improve your quality of life and daily enjoyment now. When choosing the right home, consider a range of wish list items. Envision the life you want, not the one you have now. Dream about the day-to-day and how your new home can make those dreams a reality.

Expert Tips for Rightsizing:

Don’t expect a windfall from selling your belongings; cherish memories over
possessions.
If it’s free pickup, go for it.
Life is easier with less.
Skip storage units; keep only joy-sparking items.
Start sorting a year ahead.
Document valuable items for heirs with the amount and receipts.
Use color-coded sticky notes for organization—keep, sell, donate, or throw away.

Leverage the expertise of real estate agents as partners in the Rightsizing process. They provide valuable resources, connections, and guidance for a smooth transition, even if it’s a year or more away.

Ready to start your Rightsizing journey? For more insight and a free consultation, give me a call. Your future of freedom, simplicity, and fulfillment awaits!

Things NOT to do when your house goes on the market

You’ve probably seen endless lists about how to sell your home. Everything from choosing the realtor, to the staging, to the deliberation is under the microscope. But how often do you get told how NOT to do things? RIS Media has put together a good four-step process for how to not get in your own way when selling a home.

First, don’t over-improve the house, the article says. This is good advice. While it’s important to clean up any holes and cracks in the wall, and make sure the lighting is fresh, etc., doing too much can be damaging to your case. But if you go out and make your dream changes to the house right before you sell it, you better hope your potential buyers see it as an awesome improvement, too, and not a large project to fix.

Next, don’t over-decorate. Simple, neutral colors and decorations will be just fine. Similarly to the first point, if you decorate your home with a bunch of lace, lavender and lemon scent because they are things you like, you’ve done too much. What if a buyer walks in and is immediately overwhelmed by it all? Keep it simple. Remember, the buyers are the ones who get to decorate when they move in. This is why I pay for a staging consult; because it tells you what to remove, and then I highly recommend doing some staging as it makes a huge difference in how your home is photographed. The online view of those photos will be the first impression a prospective buyer gets, and will help them decide if they want to see your home in person.

Third, and probably most important: do not BE THERE when the buyers arrive. If your realtor is going to show the house, try to get everyone (pets included) out for a couple hours. Go to a movie. Have lunch at the park. Find a way to get out of the potential buyers’ ways, so they aren’t attacked by a bunch of people upon walking in. Remember, they want to see themselves in the house. Not you!

Lastly, don’t take things too personally. You’ve put a lot of blood, sweat, tears, money and memories into your home. When a buyer lowballs you or requests repairs, don’t be upset. They are trying to afford their newest home, too. And they might tell you the reason they have to offer low is because of something they think needs updating that you disagree with. Bite your tongue, and keep negotiating. Remember, it’s all a business!

Road Trips: Scenic Drives in Northern CA

Nothing can top the beauty of Northern California. From the ocean, to the mountains, to lakes, rivers and cities, the Bay Area is one of the most breathtaking places in the world.

We have officially kicked off the summer season, the rain has stopped and given NorCals mild summer weather, it’s a perfect place to explore, especially during these upcoming months. I’m a big fan of road trips – there’s nothing like hopping in the car, rolling the windows down and going for a drive on a warm summer day.

With that in mind, I found a great article on OnlyInYourState.com listing 11 great scenic drives in Northern California. I’ll list a few of my favorites out below for reference, but take a look at the full list, and then take a trip!

1. Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway – Lassen National Park

2. Yuba Donner Scenic Byway – Tahoe National Forest

3. Emigrant Trail – Tahoe/Donner Area

4. Route 101 Redwood Highway – Del Norte Redwoods State Park

5. Carson Pass – CA/NV Border

Happy Trails and have a great summer!