Nikki's Neighborhood News

NIKKI’S NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS Your source for real estate and community in greater Kalamazoo

UPCOMING Fall EVENTS: Mac & Cheese Fest Homer Stryker Field October 9th

Kalamazoo Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo Kalamazoo Expo Center October 22nd

Rocky Horror Picture Show Kalamazoo State Theatre October 23rd

Hocus Pocus Kalamazoo State Theatre October 23rd

Monster Mash A Hocus Pocus Trail Ramona Park October 23rd

Rocky Horror Picture Show Kalamazoo State Theatre October 29th

Halloween Beer Tour Old Burdick’s Bar & Grill October 30th

Hello Friends!

I present you with a summary of today’s real estate market in the Greater Kalamazoo Area. I am confident that this information will benefit anyone looking for future opportunities to buying, selling and investment decisions.

KALAMAZOO REAL ESTATE MARKET DATA Properties for Sale had a 5.9% increase in inventory Avg. Asking Price/Sq.Ft. had a $9 increase in List Price/Sq.Ft. Avg. Sale Price had a $2,816 increase in avg sale price Avg. Sale Price as % of Asking Price had a 12.0% increase in Sales to List Price

Thank you for your confidence— my past success is a direct result of client loyalty and your referrals. Please continue to keep me in mind for real estate needs, call at any time if I can be of assistance. —Nikki

Nikki Gilliam R E A LTO R ® (269) 254-1385 ngilliam@jaquarealtors.com jaquarealtors.com/ngilliam Serving Kalamazoo & All of Southwest Michigan

221 S. Drake Road Kalamazoo, MI 49009

The Key to your 2021 Fall Decorating Trends Earthy-Inspired Colors Conventional colors of fall are yellow, orange, and red.

Today, designers are using other nature-inspired hues such as deep browns, blues, and greens to add character.

Non traditional colors for fall is trendy right now so why don’t you start using deeper shades with warm undertones to cozy up your home this year?

If you prefer the classic colors of fall leaves and pumpkins, mix in a couple unexpected shades into your palette. Incorporate a bit of shine through metal decorative accents. line your dining room table with a forest green runner to set off the rest of your orange and yellow decor or try layering a few navy blue pillows to add some contrast.

Entertaining Spaces Are you looking forward to welcoming family and friends into your home for seasonal gatherings this year?

Living areas such as the kitchen and the dining room should be the focus of your fall decorating. Incorporate elements that cater to all five senses. Add candles or essential oil diffusers to each room for that fall essence.

Scent brings coziness and warmth into a space without much decor at all!

Textural Fabrics The cold weather is around the corner! Warm, comforting fabrics are a must, and texture is a key trend for 2021. Decorative pillows with textured fabrics will definitely transform your space from a summer airy feel to welcoming fall vibes. Refresh your couches, chairs or bedding with a a few fabrics in different textures. Find textures like soft cashmere nubby bouclé, or plush faux fur to achieve a layered look.

Cozy Sanctuaries Make your home your sanctuary! The change of seasons is an opportunity to carve out a special nook somewhere in your home. Rearrange one of your comfy chairs into a corner to form a reading nook.

Create a window seat with cozy textured pillows and a throw that has some nature-inspired colors.

Kitchen Accents Arrange branches of berries, bittersweet, or leaves in jars to display on a counter or open shelves to wrap your space in fall warmth. Evoke rustic vibes by adding small doses of fall farmhouse decor. Combine wood accents with copper accessories, antiques, and a couple of gourds for a shelf display or above your kitchen cabinets.

Arrange a fall centerpiece by gathering harvest elements in a mix of materials and colors. Choose a star item to be the tallest piece in the arrangement, then progressively add in shorter pieces to create a stairstep effect. Place a curvy gourd vase along side a metal candle holder, a squat pumpkin on top of a serving tray to ground the arrangement.

Looking for a no-fuss centerpiece? Showcase a sculptural fall element with two cutting boards as a base.

Then add tall branches in small vases. Then surround with small varieties of gourds. Gather branches that can be bent or trimmed so you can shape them into a sculpture.

Living Room Accents Gather whimsical pumpkins--real or faux--in various sizes to add fall charm to your existing living room decor. Paint some of the real pumpkins white for a more modern look and tuck them among the accessories on built-in shelves or a bookcase. Vary the scale of the objects on each shelf for more balance.

r... e n r o C e p i c e R

! e k a B s ’ t Le

Homemade BUTTERFINGERS

Ingredients 3 CUPS Candy Corn Candy 1 CUP Creamy Peanut Butter 10 OUNCES Chocolate Almond Bark or Candy Melts second intervals, if needed. In my microwave, it is a total of 1 minute, 45 seconds.

3. Once candy corn is melted, heat peanut butter in microwave for 25-30 seconds until runny. Stir peanut butter into melted candy corn until completely incorporated.

4. Turn out onto baking sheet and press down to about 3/4 inch thickness (8x8-inch square.)

While candy is still soft, cut into 1x2 inch bars. Let candy cool for 1 hour.

Directions 1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking spray and set aside.

2. Place Candy Corn in a large microwave safe bowl. Heat candy corn in microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove and stir until candy is completely melted. Heat for addition time, in 15

5. Line a second baking sheet with waxed paper. Melt chocolate according to package directions. Dip each bar into melted chocolate, coating to cover completely.

Place on waxed paper to set. Store in an airtight container.

SEE WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY Forgot to write me a review? It’s not too late!

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So where do I begin. Words really can’t describe how I feel about this realtor. So let me just say this, Nakisha was truly an answer to my prayers!

The Lord knew exactly when we needed her to come into my husband’s and I life to help us with our house hunting journey. She was the most polite, personable, caring, will legit fight for you, and truly had her clients best interest at heart realtor that anyone could every ask for!!. With the house we purchased, we were originally told by someone else no it would not happen. But, God sent Nakisha along and used her to shift things in our favor. There is NOBODY else I would recommend for your housing needs whether you are buying or selling your home. She is hands down the best! In the future whatever my husband and I may need regarding a home, Nakisha will be our only go to person… Period!!! I HIGHLY suggest if you want the job done right, and if want someone who cares about you and your family needs, and is NOT just trying to make sell with the mentality and giving off the vibe of “oh well. If you get the house or not, doesn’t matter to me”… Nakisha is the person you want to see. She truly is the best of the best!!!!!!

”

--Bianca Essix

NAKISHA GILLIAM, REALTOR® | Jaqua Realtors Cell: (269) 254-1385 | ngilliam@jaquarealtors.com