Warm Wishes For The Holiday Season
From decking the halls without messing your walls to winterization resources, our December review is for you!
December Market Overview
Even though the numbers may seem different compared to a year ago, it's important to remember that the market isn't in free fall. Yes, there are fewer new contracts, but there are also fewer homes available.
Although it can be expensive for buyers, the market is still competitive. While buyers may not have as much money to spend as before, they still want to impress sellers in multi-offer scenarios, but not to the same extent as before. To make sure you have a successful sale, it's important to recognize the impact of affordability challenges on the market and prepare and price your home appropriately.
It's also worth noting that incorrect pricing was the main reason why homes sat on the market for a long time or sold up to 4% below list price. So, whether you're a buyer or a seller, make sure to approach the process with realistic expectations and work with an agent who understands the dynamics of your local market. Let’s connect if you have any questions, or want to come up with a plan for your future real estate needs!
December Home Maintenance Checklist
Disconnect hoses: Most exterior faucets have built-in protection against freezing in cold weather, but they work only if no hose is connected and thus no water is trapped. No matter how busy you are this month, take a few minutes to unscrew or turn off hoses.
Prep for winter power outages: Make sure you have ready-to-use flashlights in key places: by the bed, by the front door and at the tops of stairways. Also check batteries in lanterns you might use to light up the dinner table or get you and your family through a long evening of playing games or reading when electronic devices aren’t an option.
Add a humidifier: If your skin becomes dry and itchy and you experience frequent nosebleeds every December, the air inside your home could be too dry, and you might benefit from using a humidifier.
Winter Prep
Heading somewhere warm for the winter? Play it safe. Be sure to winterize your pipes for an extended vacation away! Here is a recommendation, if you need to connect for assistance.
Dates To Remember
The holiday season is in FULL swing - make sure you have these on your calendar!
Our Jingle + Mingle Event! (Dec 2)
Hanukkah (Dec. 7—15)
Christmas Eve (Dec 24)
Christmas Day (Dec 25)
Boxing Day (Dec 26)
Kwanzaa (Dec.26 — Jan. 1)
New Years Eve (Dec 31)
Loudoun County School Break: Dec 21 - Jan 1)
Fairfax County School Break: Dec 18 - Jan 1)
5 Ways to Deck the Halls, Not Wreck Your Walls
Give your house some festive sparkle without messing up your existing décor
As the holidays draw near, consider sprucing up your home to create a cozy winter space. Don't worry about causing any permanent damage, though - here are some tips on how to decorate with care.
Make use of existing fixtures: Hanging decorations overhead is a lovely way to make the house feel more festive, but when you take them down, the last thing you want is to have to repaint your damaged ceiling. You can avoid this by using existing fixtures, such as light fittings and curtain rails, to hang your decorations. Suspending glittery ornaments from the light fixtures will catch the light and give the home some extra sparkle.
Anchor the tree: It can be kept steady with a weighted base that covers the largest possible surface area. The best way to anchor it is to use filled sandbags, placed over the legs of the stand. This will keep it in place and prevent damage from falling!
Attach Christmas cards to ribbons: There are many great ways to display your cards - Why not make use of the staircase? Simply glue cards vertically down the length of a ribbon, and then tie the ends around the banister. Not only can you display your cards, it serves as an added decoration!
Use a Command Hook to hang your wreath: These heavy duty adhesive hooks will hold your wreath in place for the entire festive season and can be removed, without leaving a mark, as soon as it’s time to pack the wreath away again.
Hang outdoor lights with brick clips: Nothing feels more festive than coming home after a long day to see lights illuminating our house, but hanging them can be difficult. Not only do you have to battle with the ladder, you then have to figure out how to attach them. Since drilling into the brickwork will cause lasting damage, if you have exposed bricks you can use brick clips to secure your lights. These attach snugly around the bricks, so you can place one at each end and slip the wire between the hooks.
Hope these tips help transform your home into a winter wonderland, without leaving lasting damage!
Merry and Bright
As December arrives, we want to express our gratitude for the amazing clients, family, and friends we are fortunate to have in our lives. Your constant love and support have been our anchor through the highs and lows of this year, and we feel incredibly blessed to have you by our side.
Let’s celebrate the holiday season, and thank you for making this year brighter!