the
Home Connection
Volume 13 | Issue 12
DECEMBER 2022
EYE ON THE MARKET
EXPERIENCE THIS! Inventory is also trending upwards but fewer new listings are making it to market compared with the same period last year.
Village of Lights November 25-December 24 www.leavenworth.org/christmastown
As interest rates hover around 7%, buyers are also encountering sellers who are finetuning their prices and willing to consider adjustments that help cushion the blow of higher interest rates for buyers. Earlier this year offers with contingencies were much less attractive, but now brokers are reporting sellers are ready to negotiate.
Twinkle Twinkle Freeway Park December 2 www.freewayparkassociation.org/events
Our region continues to work its way towards a traditional real estate market. Many first-time home buyers who haven’t experienced a traditional market may not realize historically this is a great time of year Brokers are also seeing sellers who, having to buy a home. witnessed the recent market highs, are Buyers are feeling the squeeze, however, unwilling to lower prices and have decided as they find themselves caught between to wait in hopes of a price recovery in the rising interest rates and rising home prices. new year. For sellers that are willing to enter As their buying power has taken a hit, home the market, they are finding success when prices are still trending upward, although at they concentrate on proper pricing for the a slower pace than recent years. current market and ensuring the property is in good condition to attract buyers. Recently released statistics from the Northwest MLS show median closed sale The warm weather that continued later prices for single-family homes are again up than normal into fall, played a big role in year-over-year in King County by 9.55%, in extending seasonal market activity. It’ll be Snohomish County up by 5.04%, in Pierce interesting to see if the cold, wet weather County up 2.88%, in Thurston County up by and football season has a dampening effect 5.32%, in Chelan County up 15.05% and in on open house activity as we move into Douglas County up by 12.47%. winter and the thick of the holidays.
KITCHEN GATHERING The kitchen is the heart of the home. No matter how hard you try to get family and friends to relax in the living room there always ends up being a gathering in the kitchen. Here are some tips on entertaining in the kitchen this holiday.
• Have a drink station complete with apple cider, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and plenty of water. • Keep some nibbles on the counter. Have a charcuterie board with meats, cheeses, crackers, olives, and spiced nuts. • Depending on the space in your kitchen and the crowd you may want to add extra seating or remove most of the seating and push your kitchen table to the side to create a more open feel for mingling.
• Create an atmosphere with candles and dimmers on your lights. • Fill your kitchen with good smells. Light a scented candle or have a simmer pot with cinnamon, cloves and orange peels.
Christmas in Cashmere December 3 www.cashmerechamber.org/events
Evergreen City Ballet: The Nutcracker December 9-11 & 16-18 www.evergreencityballet.org Artisans Holiday Show December 10-11 www.evergreenfair.org/Calendar.aspx Holiday Magic December 11-23 www.thefair.com/holiday-magic/ Issaquah Reindeer Festival December 1-23 www.cougarmountainzoo.org/ 2022 Kenmore Luminary Walk December 2 www.kenmorewa.gov/calendar 42nd Annual Winter Festival December 3-4 www.phinneycenter.org/winterfestival Light Up Kirkland December 10 www.explorekirkland.com/events Bing Crosby Holiday Film Festival December 10-11 https://bingcrosbytheater.com/calendar Brrrzaar December 17 www.terrainspokane.com/brrrzaar
DECEMBER IMPORTANT DATES Sunday, December 4th National Cookie Day
Wednesday, December 21st Saturday, December 31st First Day of Winter New Year’s Eve
Saturday, December 17th Super Saturday
Saturday, December 24th Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 18th Hanukkah Begins
Sunday, December 25th Christmas Day
December Home Checklist Inspect weather-stripping by doors and windows Clean faucet aerators to remove buildup Change HVAC filter (every 30-60 days)
FOCAL POINT: HOLIDAY TABLE DECOR The center of your holiday gathering is usually around the dinner table. Create a warm and inviting environment with your table as the focal point.
Start with a Base: Have an anchor for your tablescape.
Height: Give your tablescape dimension with some variations in height.
Green and Florals: Make your table fresh and fragrant.
• Tablecloth. Use a white linen
• Use cylinder glass votives of varying
• Add a runner of fresh green over your
tablecloth to give your table a soft look.
• Runner. If you have a beautiful table
then dress it up with a runner. Some ideas for runners including: black and red checkered flannel, classic gold runner or white organza runner fluffed to look like snow.
• Chargers: Anchor your place setting
with chargers. Chargers come in many different materials and styles. Use clear glass chargers for a simple look, faux marble chargers for a modern look, wicker chargers for a country look, or gold for a classic look.
heights with floating candles or pillar candles. Or create winter snow globes with round or cylinder votives with fake snow, pine cones, sprig of evergreen and a battery powered candle.
• Use glass, brass or wooden candle-
sticks of varying heights. Make sure to use no-drip candles to avoid a waxy mess.
• Bring the outdoors in with small fir or cedar trees.
• Place 6-10-inch rocks, with flat sides, down the center of the table and place pillar candles on them.
cloth runner. Use evergreen branches or eucalyptus, weaved in between your decor or place your decor on top of the branches.
• Poinsettias will give your table a
festive look in white, red or pink.
• Bunches of spray roses are great
to use for a little bit of color and fragrance. These can be added to supplement your decor or create a green arrangement and add spray roses as a center piece.
• Mingle apples and pomegranates into
your garland or centerpieces for a pop of color.
HOME SWEET HOME HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Gift giving is a way to show the ones you love how much you care about them and their interests. We are here to take the stress out of gift giving with a little something on our list for everyone.
• Family Game: Give the gift of
• Weighted Blanket - Perfect gift for
• For the Coffee Lover - Chemex Pour-
• Digital Sunrise Lamp - Wake up
family fun with a new game such as What Do You Meme? Available on amazon.com $19.99. Over Glass Coffee Maker available at williams-sonoma.com for $35.95
• Blown Glass Plant Watering Bulbs -
For the person who loves plants but does not have a green thumb. This automatic watering system releases water when the plant needs it while being decorative. amazon.com pack of 6 for $29.95.
someone who is always cold and likes to feel snuggly. amazon.com $29.99-$73.40
with the sun on your schedule with a lamp that simulates the sunrise. homelabs.com $12.99
• Smoked Salmon - Give the gift of
locally caught and smoked salmon. Perfect for out-of-town friends and family or fans of the northwest. madeinwashington.com $45
Volume 13 | Issue 12