Gratitude, Growth, and Goals: Our November Review
A breakdown of the latest trends, market activity, and reflecting on the power of gratitude!
November Market Overview
Home prices in our area are still rising despite high mortgage rates, low inventory and the autumn market. A price ceiling may be reached soon as inventory grows and demand drops, but this could signal a shift in the market. Higher mortgage rates, even up to 8%, will decrease buyer activity in this final quarter of the year.
Although inventory is low, listing activity is slowly increasing. Fewer buyers may qualify or adjust budgets to a smaller or lower-priced home, and rental rate decreases may also pause buyer pursuit of homeownership.
However, the tug of war between supply and demand should keep prices steady, and when rates drop, buyers will return to the market, increasing pressure on prices. Let’s connect if you have any questions, or want to come up with a plan for your future real estate needs!
November Home Maintenance Checklist
Clean Garbage Disposal: Before hosting a big Thanksgiving party, take a few minutes to clean and freshen up your garbage disposal first.To keep your disposal smelling fresh, put some leftover chunks of lemon in an ice cube tray, cover them with water, and freeze. Whenever your garbage disposal gets a bit funky, run a few “lemon cubes” through the disposal for a quick freshen-up.The ice chunks will scour the blades and scrape away stuck-on debris inside the disposal!
Fix Squeaky Door Hinges: This is an easy and satisfying item to check off your maintenance list! Find the squeaky hinges, and then take a clean piece of cloth and wipe the visible parts of the hinges to take off the dust from the outer surface. Once the hinges are clean, re-lubricate the hinges to stop the squeaking. WD-40 acts as an amazing lubricant and keeps things greased for a while. Pro Tip: You can even lubricate the door locks.
Test Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors: With cold weather arriving and furnaces and fireplaces cranking up, this is a good time to test your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors to make sure they’re functioning properly. **Reminder - daylight savings is on Sunday, November 5th! “Fall back” one hour!
November 5: Daylight Savings (“fall back” one hour)
November 7: General and Special Elections in Virginia
November 11: Veterans Day
November 23: Thanksgiving Day
Designing a Stylish & Functional Living Room, Per the Pros
As the holiday season approaches, it's important to prepare your living room for any upcoming get-togethers you may have. Your living room is likely to be the central hub of the festivities, so creating a warm and inviting atmosphere is key to ensure your guests feel comfortable.
To help you make the most out of your living room this holiday season, we've compiled a few tips:
Clear the clutter: Incorporating storage options into your living room will help you stay organized and make the space look more polished. Consider adding shelves or storage ottomans to hide away any clutter.
Balance form and function: If you have kids or pets, you'll want to consider their needs when designing your living room. For example, a kid-friendly design can include a leather couch or one with a washable slipcover. Quick storage solutions like baskets or fabric bins can look great while keeping all the toys out of sight.
Add warm and welcoming touches: Layering pillows and soft throws helps create a cozy space that your guests will love. Consider adding a plush rug or decorative candles to enhance the ambiance.
By following these tips, you can create a comfortable and inviting living room that is perfect for any holiday gathering.
Thankful For You
As November rolls in, we can't help but feel extra thankful for the wonderful clients, family, and friends we have in our lives. Your unwavering support and love have kept us going through the ups and downs of this year, and we feel truly blessed to have you in our corner.
We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you!