Sarah Sorge-Forever Homes Realty

02/19/2026

15 THINGS TO DO BEFORE EVERY SHOWING

You’re ready to sell your home. You have consulted with an agent who’s a REALTOR® and done everything you can to maximize your chances of selling: You’ve decluttered, depersonalized, deep cleaned, made necessary repairs and staged the home to make it as appealing as possible. Now, here’s a handy checklist of the things to do before every showing to help your home sell faster and for top dollar.

Floors and Surfaces

Pick up. Be sure beds are made and toys, clothes and other articles are picked up and put away.
Clear kitchen and bath counters. The less you have out, the more spacious counters look. Leave big items, like a toaster oven or coffee maker. Neatly stow everything else in drawers and cabinets.
Wipe down all surfaces. Use a damp cloth to wipe down dining tables, tea tables, side tables and bookshelves where dust may be visible.
Kitchen

Wipe down handles, k***s and doors. High-traffic appliances like the refrigerator, microwave, stove, and cabinets always attract fingerprints.
Organize your refrigerator. Buyers will open it and look inside and judge you on what they see. Make sure things are neatly organized and clean.
Neutralize odors. Refrain from cooking foods with strong odors in the hours before a showing. Search for “stovetop potpourri” for recipe ideas to make your home smell great.
Bathrooms

Swap out towels. Put away the towels you use, and put up clean, new staging towels.
Wipe down mirrors. Removing visible smudge marks will make the entire space look cleaner
Valuables

Hide jewelry and other valuables.
Secure fi****ms and priceless collectibles.
Put away electronic devices.
Hide prescription medications.
Exterior Pathways

Clear pathways. Sweep any debris, snow or ice from any pathways leading to your home.
Final Check

Open all the window treatments and turn on ALL the lights. Even in broad daylight, turning on the lights will help make the space feel bright.
Disable the alarm and take your pets with you. Potential buyers may have allergies or other reasons for avoiding pets; it’s best to eliminate any potential issues.
Optional Welcoming Touch

Provide refreshments. Leave out a tray of cookies and water bottles for the potential homebuyers to enjoy while viewing your home.
These steps may seem overwhelming at first, but you will soon find your groove and be able to get ready for showings in less than an hour.

01/23/2026

You’ve thought about selling your home—but it’s a big step. You’re not sure whether it’s the right time. These seven discussion questions can help you think through the decision.

1. Does the home still fit you and your family?

Life changes can change the way you think about your home. Adding household members, separating from a partner, watching adult children move away, and even new personal interests and needs can make a home suddenly feel too large or too small.

2. Have you made a career or lifestyle shift?

A new job further from home, a commute that was once tolerable but now feels like a drain, a desire to escape urban living or vice versa—all are legitimate reasons to consider a sale.

3. Have kids changed your priorities?

You may love your neighborhood but, due to changing circumstances, decide it’s not right for your children. Whether you’re seeking proximity to outdoor recreation, schools with a better student-teacher ratio, greater enrichment opportunities, or help with special needs, a move may be the answer.

4. Have you had a change in income?

A big promotion or inheritance might spark a desire to “move up” to a home that’s larger or has more amenities. On the flip side, maybe you’re going from two incomes to one and need to downsize to a more manageable home and mortgage.

5. Is the market ripe for a sale?

There’s no “right time to sell.” Every market, every house and every homeowner’s situation is different. But selling when market demand is high can be advantageous. A REALTOR®, a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, can talk with you about your market’s current dynamics and your home’s current market value

6. Have interest rates changed?

When rates fall, refinancing to lower your monthly payment might make sense. But a rate drop might also be an opportunity to trade up to that home you thought you couldn’t afford.

7. Are you ready for a turnkey home?

Maybe you’re finding your home too expensive or difficult to maintain—or you bought a fixer-upper only to learn that renovations aren’t your jam. In those situations, think about a move to a turnkey home. Sanity and family harmony beat living in limbo.

Now might not be a good time to sell if you don’t have adequate equity to realize a gain, you want to retain a low interest rate, or other personal factors outweigh the reasons to move. However, if you answered yes to one or more of these questions, consider talking with a real estate professional about options, timing and steps you’ll need to take to prepare for a sale.

Your real estate agent will help you navigate the purchase or sale of a home. An attorney can provide guidance on the laws in the state where you’re purchasing. Only real estate professionals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® may use the term REALTOR®. Under the NAR’s Code of Ethics, REALTORS® must work in their client’s best interest and treat all parties fairly. Please visit facts.realtor for more information and resources.

01/09/2026

Consumer Guide: How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Heating and cooling a home can be a big expense, especially with energy bills climbing in many areas. If you worry about energy costs, you’re not alone. An estimated three-fourths of Americans say they’re concerned about rising gas and electric bills, according to a 2025 poll by PowerLines, a consumer education nonprofit organization.

Here are practical tips to make your home more energy efficient:

1. Make smart upgrades.
When prioritizing home improvement projects, think about both what will cut your energy costs and what will make a difference when you sell. According to the REALTORS® Residential Sustainability Report, windows, doors and siding are the most important energy efficient home features for buyers, with 37% of REALTORS® rating them as very important and 49% as somewhat important. Ask your energy provider whether energy audits or rebates on efficiency upgrades are available in your area.

2. Swap out appliances.
If an appliance needs to be replaced, consider buying an energy-efficient model. Refrigerators are notorious energy hogs. Consumer Reports says models with the freezer on the top or bottom are usually more energy efficient than side-by-side models. In-door ice and water dispensers also add to a fridge’s energy use.

3. Replace HVAC systems.
Upgrade to systems with high Energy Star ratings. Be sure to have your system serviced and change the filters regularly to boost efficiency.

4. Install a smart thermostat.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that homeowners save an average of 8% on their utility bills by using a smart thermostat that uses motion sensors or tracks your phone's location to switch to energy-saving mode when you're not home.

5. Install ceiling fans.
Using ceiling fans during the warmer months will cut down on the need for air conditioning.

6. Improve air sealing.
Install door sweeps at the base of all doors that lead to the exterior, and make sure windows are sealed and have weatherstripping. Sealing gaps around doors and windows is also great storm prep for areas that experience hurricanes.

7. Add insulation.
Boosting insulation in attics, crawl spaces and basements can save an average of 10% on heating and cooling.

8. Plant trees.
Consider planting shade trees on the west and east sides of your home to shield it from the sun during the summer months. (Remember there are other considerations when planting trees, such as soil quality, utility lines and fire safety.)

Other ways you can save on your energy bills:

Close blinds and curtains to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
Set your water-heater temperature to 120 degrees. Water heating accounts for about 18% of a home’s energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Minimize electricity draw by unplugging cords or using power strips that can be shut off when appliances are not in use.
These smart upgrades and practices can help you save big each month on your utility bills and could make your home more attractive to future buyers.

NOTE: Consumer guides do not constitute any change in NAR policy. Real estate professionals must ensure they market properties consistent with relevant MLS rules and educate sellers on the choices available.

12/31/2025