Debbie Welch Homes

03/06/2026

JUST LISTED 🎉🏡 | Crosswater in Lake Stevens

A beautifully updated home in one of Lake Stevens’ most loved neighborhoods is officially live! Crosswater has such a true community feel (it was our old neighborhood), and this one has the layout, updates, and outdoor space that make life feel easy.

📍 2723 84th Dr NE, Lake Stevens
🛏️ 3 Bedrooms | 🛁 2.5 Baths | 📐 2,222 Sq Ft

Highlights:

❄️ Central A/C + big-ticket updates already handled
🍽️ Refreshed 2024 kitchen - quartz counters, new cabinets, stainless appliances + island eating bar
🛌 Permitted addition + fully custom upstairs layout (not the standard Crosswater plan)
🛁 Two ensuite-style bedrooms upstairs + primary flex space for work-from-home office, nursery, or workout zone
🔥 Private fenced backyard, low-maintenance outdoor space + patio with firepit
🌳 Trails, tot lots, and Boulder Park - plus easy access to Lundeen Park on Lake Stevens
🏫 Desirable Lake Stevens School District

And I have to share this sweet post from the homeowner because it made my whole day 🥹❤️:

“Want your bff living nearby? Check out our listing that just went live!! We are relocating for work and unfortunately have to sell our home in Crosswater. Our agent is Debbie Welch and she has been amazing and knows this market so well, so even if you aren't in the market to buy please reach out to her if looking for a new realtor!! We are excited to see who wants a chance to love this home as much as we have!”

Want the full photo set, details, or a private showing? Message me anytime. 😊

📱 360.631.8148
📩 [email protected]
👩🏼‍💻 debbiewelchhomes.com

🔗 Listing link: https://myre.io/0CDTMroYmxOl

10/30/2025

🚀 Want to start real estate investing but feel priced-out in Snohomish County? Read this...

Three years ago we were in the exact same spot: lots of research, lots of “someday,” no action. 🙅🏼‍♀️ Then we finally stopped the analysis-paralysis and bought the lowest-priced home on the MLS. We didn’t wait for the perfect duplex or a flip on HGTV. We bought what we could actually afford that fit our goals.

That first place was a studio condo. We furnished and rented it mid-term at first, and now it’s a steady long-term rental. From there, we’ve owned 3 investment properties and we’re about to break ground on a 2-unit build. 🛠 All because we started with one small, sensible deal.

If you’ve been wanting to get into investing and you’re stuck at “Where do I even start?” - this might be your first step 👇

I have an accessible, ground-floor 1 bed / 1 bath condo in Marysville listed for $240,000, and the seller is offering a $5,000 credit - use it however you’d like (rate buydown, closing costs, or HOA prepay, depending on loan program). 💸

Why this matters for a first-time investor or future landlord:

✅ No rental cap - you’re allowed to rent it out 📈

✅ Local 1-bedroom housing allowance is up to $2,255/mo (voucher tenants, subject to inspection/approval). Investors use something called the “1% rule,” which is basically: does monthly rent come close to 1% of the purchase price? Hitting anywhere near that in Snohomish County is rare, and this one is close.

✅ HOA is $345.41/mo and covers water, sewer, garbage, exterior, and landscaping. Because water/sewer/garbage are included, you could bill those utilities back to your tenant in the lease. That means you could effectively recover part of that cost each month and improve your numbers. 🌿

✅ Accessibility = bigger tenant pool: no stairs, wide doorways, walk-in shower w/ grab bars, parking at the front door. Plus private laundry, covered patio with storage, garden window, and solar tube for natural light.

This is entry-level investing that actually pencils - not theory.

Full details + photos ⬇
https://myre.io/0L04QonMx51k

Send me a message and I’ll walk you through some scenarios the same way we ran ours - and open the door to your first real estate investment!

📱 360.631.8148
📩 [email protected]
👩🏼‍💻 debbiewelchhomes.com

$5,000 Seller Concession! Rare ACCESSIBLE ground-floor co...

09/13/2025

Crosswater Corner-Lot in Lake Stevens - Updated & Move-In Ready

📍 2428 85th Ave NE, Lake Stevens, WA 98258
💲 $775,000 | 2,717 sq ft | 5 bed + main-floor office | 2.5 bath | 5,954 sq ft lot

If you’ve been hunting for space, light, and zero weekend projects - this is it. Bright two-story on a sunny corner lot with multiple living areas and a backyard built for easy gatherings (expanded patio + gazebo + fully fenced lawn). The granite kitchen (black stainless, gas range, walk-in pantry, big island) anchors everyday life. A private primary suite sits apart from the other bedrooms with soaking tub, separate shower, dual sinks, private water closet, and a roomy walk-in closet. Community perks right out the door: four tot lots, Boulder Park, and neighborhood trails; minutes to Lundeen Park and easy Hwy 9 access.

👉 More info here: https://rebrand.ly/2428-85th-Ave-NE

🗓️ Open House: Sun 9/14 1–3 PM

Contact me for a private showing!

💁🏼‍♀️ Debbie Welch, eXp Realty | 360-631-8148 | [email protected] | Listing Agent & Homeowner

Beautifully maintained, freshly updated 5-bed Crosswater ...

09/03/2025

CLOSED on Camano Island 🏡✨

When your buyers are dear friends, you feel every high and low right alongside them. Truth: I treat all my clients like close friends and family anyway - so maybe it’s just my heart doing what it does. ❤

This home first hit the market in Sept 2024 at just under $1.8M and sat for almost a year with multiple price drops. Right before we engaged, the sellers reduced it to $1.194M. We rolled-up our sleeves, read the data, and negotiated - landing another $69K off the price, plus $20K in seller concessions. 🙌

Takeaway: pricing isn’t a feeling - it’s a formula. Overpricing sounds brave but usually costs time and money. The market rewards homes that are priced with the data (today’s comps, presentation, condition), not memories. And for buyers, lean on your trusted agent’s numbers and strategy - most-times (and I hate saying this, but it’s true) not with your heart. The heart gets to celebrate at closing; the math gets you there. 🔢💓

Why it worked:

• Pricing isn’t a vibe - it’s math. Long days on market = leverage for prepared buyers.

• Clean strategy > chaos. Focused asks, calm delivery, steady follow-through.

• Collaboration wins. Everyone stayed solution-oriented to the finish line.

Grateful shout-outs to:

👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏻 JP & TP - dear friends and pros on the lending side who found yourselves in buyer shoes this time. It’s a different feeling - you navigated every twist with courage, patience, and grace, plus some healthy restraint. 😉 Thank you for trusting my knowledge and expertise!

👷🏼 John Sobieski, Home Inspection Services NW - jumped in with island experience and an extremely fast turnaround.

👩🏻‍💻 Stewart Title & Escrow team - smooth, responsive teamwork.

👨🏼 A great, collaborative listing agent - truly the best for everyone involved.

Dream island home ✔️, sound views for days ✔️, absolutely freaking gorgeous ✔️. I’m still not sure what’s better - the home or the views?! 😍

So dang happy for these friends finding their place on Camano Island. If you’re buying or selling in Snohomish/Island County and want a game plan that’s calm, clear, and data-driven, I’m here. 🙋🏼‍♀️

08/27/2025

CLOSED in Lake Stevens 🏡✨

Some closings are simple. This one was a masterclass in perseverance - with a 9-hour time difference just for fun. 😉

My buyers are PCS’ing from Nuremberg, Germany to Snohomish County, which meant late-night/early-morning calls, detailed video tours, and me narrating every nook and cranny so they could feel the home from 5,000 miles away. 📹🌍

🏠 Home #1 (Canceled):

During inspection, my gut said, “those backyard vines aren’t right.” I dug in, researched, and - yep - knotweed. I shared what I found, forwarded studies on the structural/remediation risks, and laid out options. My clients made the smart call to forgo the risk. That’s teamwork: I obsess the details; my clients make informed decisions.

🏡 Home #2 (Closed!):

We reset quickly and found an even better fit - a 4-bedroom under $600K in Lake Stevens (yes, really). Needs a little love, but that price point here is rare, and the potential is big. We also secured a seller concession to kickstart those updates. 💵

On this one, we navigated a less-than-collaborative listing side and a few… let’s call them surprises from the sellers. Instead of matching energy, we chose grace - slower, thoughtful replies, facts over friction, eyes on the prize. 🎁

We also worked through some extra drama with a non-preferred lender. All’s well that ends well, but here’s a 💡 PSA: agents have referrals to vetted, local lenders for a reason - communication, speed, and problem-solving that keep blood pressure down and timelines on track.

Final plot twist: On closing day, an assumption had unknowingly been made by someone that one spouse would remain in Germany (never the plan). This triggered a last-minute paperwork scramble and short closing delay. Deep breath. Quick pivot. Docs amended, signatures in, and we crossed the finish line anyway. ✅🗝️

Welcome home, Swaim family!! Washington’s got you now. ❤️

Buying from afar - military move or otherwise - doesn’t need perfect conditions. It needs clear communication, obsessive detail, and a calm guide who will fight for your best-case outcome. I’m here. ✨

📱 360.631.8148
📩 [email protected]
👩🏼‍💻 debbiewelchhomes.com

08/19/2025

✨ Pending! ✨

When you know what you want and where you want to be, things can move fast — and my client Emma might just be the poster child for early success in life.

While visiting Washington with her family, Emma accepted a brand-new RN position at Swedish Hospital. The very same trip, we went out looking for her new home in Seattle. She walked into this first condo, only a 7-minute walk to work, and immediately knew it was the one.

Since then she’s measured every corner (nurses are detail-oriented 😉), breezed through inspection and appraisal, and is already nearly clear-to-close. All at 22 years old. 🎉

Her path so far?
🎓 Graduate nursing school
✅ Pass the NCLEX
🌎 Take a deep breath and travel to WA
💼 Accept her first RN job
🏡 Fall in love with her first condo
✍🏼 Write the offer, get under contract, and now — pending!

I’m so proud of Emma and grateful I get to walk alongside her in this exciting new chapter. Watching clients step into their “next phase” of life is why I love what I do. ❤️

08/18/2025

🌟 Accessible, Affordable & Move-In Ready 🌟
📍 4811 76th St NE #5 in Marysville
💲 Now $245,000 + $7,500 Seller Credit with full-price offer!

Looking for a quiet place to land—or your next smart investment?
This rare accessible ground-floor 1-bedroom condo in Country Villas checks the boxes for comfort, convenience, and value:

✅ Easy-entry and accessible features: No stairs, wide doors, walk-in shower w/ grab bars, ramp from front parking space
✅ Spacious layout: Large bedroom, open living/dining, lives larger than its 595sf size
✅ Private laundry: Stack washer/dryer included
✅ Outdoor space: Covered patio w/ peaceful tree & lawn views + private storage
✅ Low maintenance: HOA handles exterior, you manage the inside
✅ Investor friendly: No rental cap!
✅ Ideal for:
– First-time buyers entering the housing market
– Downsizers who want comfort & simplicity
– Snowbirds or travelers needing a lock-and-leave base
– Investors seeking low-maintenance rental potential

📍 Close to shopping, dining, transit & everyday essentials
✨ A flexible, functional home in a quiet community

📞 Questions or want to tour?
Message me here or call/text Debbie Welch, eXp Realty at 360-631-8148

🔗 Full details & photos: https://myre.io/0ucnv4HPjtNg

07/12/2025

✨ New Listing Alert! ✨

Looking for easy, accessible living in a quiet Marysville community? This charming 1-bed, 1-bath ground-floor condo at Country Villas is designed with comfort and simplicity in mind:

✅ Step-free entry with small ramp right from your parking space
✅ Wider doorways & walk-in shower with grab bars and seat
✅ Solid-surface flooring throughout—hardwood & bathroom vinyl
✅ Private covered patio with storage
✅ HOA that takes care of water, sewer, garbage, exterior maintenance & landscaping 🌳
✅ Pet-friendly (2 pets up to 35 lbs) 🐾
✅ No rental cap—perfect for owners or investors

All this wrapped up in a peaceful, long-established neighborhood close to shopping, dining, and essentials—ideal for downsizing or simplifying your lifestyle.

📍 4811 76th St NE Unit 5, Marysville, WA 98270

🚪Open House on Sat 7/12 from 11am-1pm and Sun 7/13 from 1-2pm

🤔 More info here: https://debbiewelch.expportal.com/4811-76th-st-ne-unit-5

👉 Curious? Ready for a showing? Message me today or tag someone who’s been looking for this kind of opportunity!

05/21/2025

👻 The Ghost Mortgage

Real Estate WTF (Wednesday Truth Facts) – Here’s your midweek moment of “Seriously?! That’s a thing?”

🧠 WTF: You can inherit someone else’s unpaid loan when you buy their house.

Yep — if the seller has a second mortgage, unpaid contractor bill, tax lien, or any other debt tied to the property that doesn’t get caught during escrow… guess who it might follow? You.

This is exactly why title insurance exists — and why you want someone sharp handling that title search. Because believe me, title reports can hide all kinds of ghosts:

🔹 Old liens that were never properly released
🔹 Home equity loans that sellers “forgot” about
🔹 Surprise easements or encroachments
🔹 IRS or state tax liens
🔹 Judgments from lawsuits
…and more.

👀 And yes, this is also why you want an agent who actually reads those reports — not just skims them.

We’ve all heard stories (or lived them 😬) where something buried deep on page 37 of the title report almost tanked a deal or blindsided the buyer at closing.

🔍 WTF Takeaway: Don’t just “trust the system” — trust your people. A good agent and a solid title team will catch the ghosts hiding in plain sight.

💬 Ever been a part of a deal that went sideways because of a sneaky lien or forgotten debt? Spill the tea — I know you’ve got one 👇

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05/14/2025

💀 The Death Disclosure Dilemma

Real Estate WTF (Wednesday Truth Facts) – Welcome back to another round of real estate revelations that might just make you say, “WTF?!”

🧠 WTF: In Washington State, sellers aren’t legally required to disclose if someone has died in the home.

Yep — whether it was a peaceful passing or something more tragic, Washington law says that unless the death directly impacts the physical condition or value of the home, there’s no obligation to bring it up.

This ties into how Washington handles “stigmatized properties” — it’s all about material defects, not spooky backstories.

But here’s the thing: transparency can be powerful. Even if it’s not legally required, being upfront about a home’s history — especially if it’s something that might come up later — can go a long way toward building trust and avoiding drama.

We often advise clients to lean on the side of full disclosure, especially if the event is publicly known or could affect a buyer’s peace of mind.

And real talk? I’ve had buyers ask specifically if “anyone died here” — it’s more common than you’d think.

🔍 WTF Takeaway: You don’t have to disclose a death — but sometimes, the truth is the best strategy.

💬 Ever shown a home with a past that made buyers pause? Had a client nudge you and whisper, “Did anyone die in here?” Were YOU that buyer? Drop your stories below — I’m all ears.

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05/14/2025

🏡 That $790K Median: What It Really Means

The median home price in Snohomish County crept up to $790,000 last month. That's a 1.9% increase from April 2024, and up 4.0% year-to-date.

That’s not breakneck growth — but it _is_ growth. Especially while interest rates hover in the 6-7% range.

Here’s the kicker: while home prices are up, sellers are receiving slightly less of their asking price — down from 103% to 101.4%. Translation? Homes are still moving, but buyers are negotiating again.

What does that tell us?

➡️ Sellers: You can get a strong price, but you need smart prep and pricing. Overpricing = longer days on market (up 28.6% from last April!).
➡️ Buyers: This might be your moment to snag a home before prices push further. And yes, you might even be able to \*gasp\* ask for a credit or inspection concession.

🏠 Need help reading between the lines? That’s where I come in — with local context, not just county-wide generalizations. And maybe snacks.

05/08/2025

I bought my first 🏡 home with Todd in March 2016—before we were even married. (Plot twist, right? 💍) We used Todd’s VA loan benefit, but here’s a fun fact: you can’t be on a ZERO down VA loan unless you’re married to the Veteran - a down payment would be necessary. So yep—we bought the house, then got engaged. In that order. 😅

We both came from not-so-great previous marriages. Both renting. Both raising kids - 5 of the 6 at that time. We’d been together just over a year and just knew. Buying together felt like the right next step in blending our lives. It wasn’t just a house—it was a promise. 💗

Todd was already living in Lake Stevens, and I was just 3 miles north in Marysville. The stars aligned, and we found a home we loved. Oh—and here’s the kicker: our agent? Todd’s former mother-in-law. (Yes, really. 😂) Kathi was amazing, and I still adore her.

Keep in mind: When I first found the home (💁🏼‍♀️ acting like an agent before I was one), it was already pending…and it was perfect for us. Communication was key with the other agent at that point, because once it fell out of contract, we were on it!

That house holds so many memories—including our first Christmas together, when Todd proposed to me right there in our living room. 🎄✨

🏡 Home isn’t just about walls or upgrades—it’s about trust, timing, and the people inside.

💡 If you’re thinking of using a VA loan, ask questions early—there are eligibility rules that may surprise you. If you have VA loan entitlement, you should seriously consider using your well-deserved loan benefit!!

❤️ And if your gut says this is it—it probably is.

🏠💞