the
Home Connection
Volume 12 | Issue 12
DECEMBER 2021
eye on the market Winter is just around the corner and along with the weather, there has been a slight cooling in the real estate market. The hesitancy of homebuyers and increases in mortgage rates were likely factors in slower listing and sales activity this past month according to brokers. Potential buyers are also finding that prices for single family homes are fifteen percent higher than a year ago, with most counties reporting doubledigit gains according to data from the MLS. Some brokers believe that buyers may be waiting to see if these escalations are temporary and that a market or economic change will occur that will bring home prices down.
experience this! in Thurston County up by almost 20.19 percent, and in Spokane County up by nearly 17.1 percent (Spokane Association of REALTORS).
Buyers are also facing the continued issue of low housing inventory on the market. This is not uncommon during the winter season. Brokers often report that potential home sellers wait until the new year to put their homes on the market, anticipating the frenzied buying activity that the spring tends to deliver. Consequently, buyers entering the market at this time are advised to be prepared with all their finances, pre-approvals and supporting documents The Northwest MLS data also shows closed available in order to be competitive. With the new year just around the corner, it will sale price escalations were widespread across most counties when compared be interesting to see if an influx of housing with the same month a year ago. In King inventory will occur, and how buyers will interact with the market depending County prices are up by 10.64 percent, in Snohomish County up by 19.83 percent, in on levels of inventory, listing prices, and Pierce County up by almost 18.87 percent, mortgage rates.
Deck the House for the Holidays
Cinderella Enchanted Edition 11/26-12/18
Holiday Favorites 12/5
Snowflake Lane 11/26-12/24
Welcome Home a Holiday Concert 12/8-26
Garden d’Lights 11/27-12/31
The Nutcracker Ballet 12/10-12 & 12/17-19
‘Tis the season’ to start hanging holiday lights. Creating a light display for your home is a great way to get into the festivities and brighten up your neighborhood. Here are a few tips to help make the process faster, safer, and easier.
• Plan ahead: Create a design plan
before you begin hanging your lights, this will help save time and allow you to map out critical patterns for your light display. To decide where to hang lights, look at your house from the street or take a picture and choose which elements would be enhanced with lighting. Consider highlighting features like roof trim, eaves, pillars, posts, windows, and doors.
• Use high quality lights and products:
LED bulbs, while more expensive, last twelve times as long as traditional bulbs and ultimately save money in
the long run. It is also helpful to use extension cords and lights that are specifically made for outdoor use as this will help avoid malfunctions that lead to spendy replacements.
Wintertide Lights Manito Drive-Thru 12/1-12/31 Holiday Lights 12/10-19
• Use the right amount
of lights: Measure the lengths of what you plan on decorating so that you have an accurate idea of how many boxes of lights you’ll need. The brighter you want your display to be, the more bulbs per strand you’ll want.
• Take safety precautions: When
climbing/using a ladder, make sure continued on next page
Holiday Drive-In Movies 12/4
Spokane Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert 12/11