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
December important dates Saturday, December 4 National Cookie Day
Tuesday, December 21 Winter Begins
Sunday, December 26 Kwanzaa Begins
Tuesday, December 7 Pearl Harbor Rememberance Day
Friday, December 24 Christmas Eve CW Counties Closed (Christmas Day observed)
Friday, December 31 New Year’s Eve CW Counties Closed (New Year’s Day observed)
Monday, December 13 National Cocoa Day
Saturday, December 25 Christmas Day
Home sweet home holiday guft guide Whether you’re home for the holidays or looking for the perfect present for your loved one’s house, take a look at this gift guide to help with your shopping this year.
• Zuri Faux Fur Throw; this cozy and luxurious throw can transform any living space with a touch of glamour and comfort. This item is $20.99 and available at macys.com
• Seagrass + Paper Rope Baskets; handcrafted artisan baskets that make
keeping your home organized easy. This item is $23.37 and available at Walmart.com
• Nest Fragrances Reed Diffuser; an elegant reed diffuser, with a variety of slow releasing scented oils to choose the perfect fragrance for any home. This item is $50 and available at amazon.com
• Chic Chill Two-Bottle Wine Chiller; This two-bottle chiller makes the
perfect gift for your favorite host or hostess, eliminating the need to deal with putting bottles directly on ice. This item is $76.99 and available at macys.com
• BODUM Kenya French Press; This gift is perfect for all the coffee lovers on your list.
The French press makes a flavorful brew in a durable and sleek machine that will add to any kitchen’s style. This item is $19.84 and available at Walmart.com
Deck the House for the Holidays continued from previous page
someone is holding it in place and you are aware of the ladder’s regulations. Take extra care when reaching to not overextend and be cautious when using tools. It is also important to start hanging lights early in the day, so you aren’t working in slippery conditions and have plenty of daylight to complete the job.
• Check electrical system: Inspect the
outlets and plugs you will use for your lights and do not use lights with any exposed or frayed wires. Never connect different types of lights on the same circuit or outlet and call an electrician if you notice any sparks or singeing. It is also important to read manufacturer recommendations on the number of lights you can safely string together.
• Use a timer: An outdoor timer will
monitor and control your outdoor lights to conserve energy and save money. A timer will also allow your lights to automatically go on or off at preferred times such as on at sundown and off after you go to bed.
How to Drop Heating Bills as Temps Fall Winter is almost here and that means the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. Now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the chilly weather ahead, and these tips will help you save money and resources while staying warm this winter.
• Inspect your house and perimeter:
Take a detailed look at the interior and exterior of your home. Check that your water supply system is insulated properly and that there are no other points of entry for cold air to enter your home. Inside your home, check
for any gaps that could cause warm air to seep out such as cracks in windows, old weather stripping, an unsealed fireplace, etc. • Fill in gaps: Heating your home can be expensive especially if the heat is escaping and cold air is entering. Don’t forget to also check doors, light fittings,
power sockets, and dryer vents. Be sure to fill those gaps you may have discovered during your inspection. • Close the chimney: Chimneys can Most leaks can be sealed with weather allow cold air in if the damper is not stripping, caulk, foam strips or airtight or there are other gaps. One expanding foam spray. way to prevent the heat loss is by using • Insulate your home: Since warm air fitted glass or other fireplace doors to rises, adding extra padding to your seal the chimney. You can also better attic can cut down on energy loss utilize a fireplace by installing an insert, that leads to expensive heating bills. a heat exchanger, or a woodstove to Another way to insulate your home is add heat. by hanging curtains at your windows or by insulating the windows themselves. • Maintain your furnace: Taking care of your furnace will help it heat your • Keep doors and vents closed to home effectively, which will lower unused rooms: Close the doors to electricity bills. Furnaces need regular unused rooms and open them only as needed to redirect warm air to the maintenance to work well. Every few rooms where heat is needed most. Be months you should clean off your sure to also close the air vents in those furnace, check the ducts for air leaks, rooms to prevent heat from entering. and change the filter.
Volume 12 | Issue 12