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