HOW TO REALLY DECLUTTER YOUR HOME FOR BUYERS

Your real estate agent has come to your house to assess what needs to be done to sell it the quickest. The word, “declutter,” continues to come up. You assure your agent that you are a very neat person and that everything will be clean when the potential buyers come to view it. Many sellers encounter the same situation each day. What agents wish their clients would understand is that decluttering is more than just keeping the baseboards dust-free and the countertops wiped down. Try some of the following tips and wow your real estate agent, and especially, your buyers.


With pen, paper and clipboard in hand, tour the outside of your home, then the inside. As much as possible, pretend that you don’t own the house and even that you’ve never seen the place. You will quickly see what your real estate agent meant by decluttering when you use this new perspective. Write down anything which is the least bit offensive to the eye, including unruly hoses, toys in the front yard, a busy mantle above the fireplace and newspapers stacked up in the laundry room. The list will seem longer the more times you go through the process. However, the more you notice, the more prepared your home will be for eagle-eyed buyers.

The biggest stumbling block for sellers preparing their home for the market is their lingering attachment to their house. From repainting a room neutral, to taking family photos off the wall, sellers must accept that their time in that particular house is coming to an end. To counteract this mental block, take your most personal items out of rooms first. Get plenty of clear plastic tubs, or boxes to store your items. Treat the decluttering process as if you are preparing a model home for viewing. In order to sell your home, you have to give the buyers room to imagine their personal belongings. Little forward-thinking daydreams about decorating your new abode should also counteract those strong attachments.


A good round of decluttering will often leave you with a pile of boxes and bins to contend with. Although stacking them up in a closet seems like a nice, out-of-the-way option, this may not be the best choice. Consider that closet space is often one of the key selling points for a home. Closets should look as impeccable as possible. This will aid greatly in creating a spacious feeling. If the closets are crowded and messy, the buyer may think that your home is just not big enough, even if it has the square footage they want.


Your garage is the most acceptable place for storage in the mind of the buyers. Of course, not everyone has this luxury. If you can convince a family member, friend, or even a neighbor to let you store those boxes and crates, then take advantage of the opportunity. However, if you really need or want your storage items in the house, then try to stack them up in the least conspicuous place you can find. A playroom or basement can usually stand to have a few of these bins stashed in the corner. Better yet, think about renting a temporary storage facility to house these things.


Despite all your efforts, be prepared to hear your real estate agent tell you that you still have too many belongings cluttering the house. If this happens, just remember that they’re on your side and that they’re the expert. Also, remember that a well-decluttered house is your quickest ticket to a “Sold!” sign.

 

By: Bob Lipply

 

Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com

What does $700k buy you in Vacaville, Winters, Folsom, Roseville, or Lincoln?

May 11, 2026
🏠 The 50/80/65 Corridor Insider Your Guide to Real Estate from Solano to the Placer County Foothills Presented by Candice Zavala | The Jessica Mraz Group at eXp Realty 💸 The $700K Challenge: What Does Your Money Buy in May 2026? If you have $700,000 to spend on a home in Northern California, your experience depends entirely on which highway you’re driving. As we track the market trends for the Jessica Mraz Group , we’re seeing a massive contrast between the booming value in Solano and the high-demand lifestyle hubs of the Hwy 50 and Hwy 65 corridors. Here is exactly what that budget gets you in today’s market across our most sought-after neighborhoods. 📍 Vacaville, Dixon & Winters: The Solano Powerhouses On the I-80 side, $700K goes a long way toward space and character. Vacaville & Dixon: You are a premium buyer here. In Vacaville, you can secure a spacious 4-bedroom home in the 95687 or 95688 zips. In Dixon, this budget often gets you brand-new construction with modern energy efficiencies and a larger lot. Winters: At $700K , you are looking for that specific "hidden gem" charm—likely a 2-to-3 bedroom historic cottage within walking distance of the famous downtown foodie scene. 📍 Folsom & Roseville: The Hub of the 50/65 Switching over to the Hwy 50 and 65 intersection, $700K is the competitive entry point for these high-amenity cities. Folsom: With median prices near $799,000 , a $700K budget typically secures a well-kept 3-bedroom home or a luxury townhome near Palladio. Roseville: This is a "sweet spot" for 3-bedroom homes in the 95678 or 95747 zips, offering incredible access to the region's best shopping and park systems. 📍 Lincoln: The Hwy 65 Hidden Luxury Just up the 65 corridor, Lincoln offers two very different worlds for a $700K buyer. Twelve Bridges: In this highly desirable community, $700K is a very active price point. While the median is closer to $743,000 , we are seeing beautiful 3-to-4 bedroom homes (around 2,000–2,400 sq. ft.) sell right in the $700K range. It's the perfect spot for those wanting newer infrastructure and great local schools. Catta Verdera: This is Lincoln's premier gated golf community. Here, $700K is primarily the entry point for a custom homesite (lot) where you can build your dream home, or a luxury townhome. Most single-family estates in this enclave start at $1.1M+ , making it the "aspiration" neighborhood of the 65 corridor. 📈 May 2026 Market Pulse 

The 50 vs. The 80: Navigating the "Right-Size" Move Between El Dorado Hills and Granite Bay

By The Jessica Mraz Group • May 6, 2026
Why your next move requires the information of the culture, not just a real estate agent. Choosing between the 50 side and the 80 side isn’t just a change of zip code; it’s a change of soul. In May 2026, we are seeing a massive wave of "Right-Sizers"—homeowners ready to transition from single-family homes to multiple homes on one lot. ADUs, tiny homes, or housing college kids who remain at home for years following graduation. We are seeing sprawling family estates turning into multigenerational homes. Whether you are eyeing the master-planned perfection of Serrano or the granite-studded privacy of Hidden Valley , the logistical shift is real. The Vibe Shift: Which Side are You On? At The Jessica Mraz Group , we live and breathe the nuances of both corridors. We know that moving from the oak-studded hills of Blackstone to the open acres of Loomis involves more than just packing boxes—it involves a fundamental shift in how you experience Northern California. The 50 Side (El Dorado Hills): It’s about the "Resort Life." In neighborhoods like Promontory and Blackstone , you are buying into a social ecosystem with high-end amenities and views that stretch to the Sierras. The 80 Side (Granite Bay & Loomis): It’s about "The Retreat." Places like Wexford and Shelbourne offer a level of structured seclusion, while Loomis provides that "unstructured" luxury where the air feels just a bit more rural. The "Right-Size" Reality Check "Right-sizing" often sounds easier than it is. In 2026, the $1M–$1.25M price band in El Dorado Hills is the tightest market we’ve seen in years, with only 1.3 months of inventory . If you are selling a larger estate to move into this "sweet spot," you cannot afford a single mistake in timing or presentation. This is where the Jessica Mraz Group steps in as your Project Managers . We don’t just list your home; we handle the heavy lifting: Preparation: We coordinate the renovations, staging, and vendor management so you don't have to. The Conflict Firewall: In complex moves—including Divorce Sales —you get two lead agents for the price of one. We provide a primary point of contact for each party, ensuring communication remains neutral, professional, and focused on the goal: maximizing your equity. 4 Questions to Ask Before You Move Corridors If you are debating the 50 vs. the 80 this month, ask yourself: Is land or community my priority? (Serrano’s social clubs vs. Loomis’s private acres). Am I ready for the "Project"? If your next home needs work, do you have the team to manage it? How does the tax gap affect my "Right-Size" budget? (Placer vs. El Dorado assessments). Is my current equity protected? (Bridlewood Canyon is currently holding value 7% better than the county average). The Bottom Line Whether you are moving toward the sunset in The Promontory or seeking the quiet of Hidden Lake Estates , you deserve a team that understands the "vibe" of both sides of the hill. Don't just hire an agent. Hire a project management team that handles the conflict, the contractors, and the transition so you can simply enjoy the new view. Thinking of a move between the 50 and the 80? The "Right-Size" market moves fast. Contact The Jessica Mraz Group today for a custom Corridor Comparison Report to see where your equity goes further in May 2026.

A Solano County Legacy: Why This Team is a Win for Our Community

May 4, 2026
They say you can’t choose your family, but you can choose who you build a legacy with. For The Jessica Mraz Group, those lines are beautifully blurred. I am incredibly proud to announce that my mother, Nanci Ladd, has joined forces with me and my longtime partner in business, Candice Zavala. This isn't just a business expansion; it is a homecoming. Nanci is a second-generation Solano County local and has been a trusted Realtor here since 2003. She lived the history of these streets long before she started selling them. Then there is Candice—a powerhouse Solano native and the absolute definition of tenacity. Candice and I have been best friends since we were 4 years old. From the playground to the closing table, we have worked together our entire adult lives. When Candice says she will find you a home, she doesn't stop until the keys are in your hand. Together, we aren't just "agents". We are Solano County natives with a high-volume, professional business engine behind us. We specialize in the complex—whether it’s a "Right Size" move up or down, a high-conflict divorce sale, or project-managing a total home renovation to get you top dollar—we handle the heavy lifting so you don't have to.