Hello August: The Redefined Review
We’re excited to share our next dose of real estate inspiration with you - let’s dive in!
Summer is a popular time for buying and selling homes, and this month’s review takes a quick look at how the season affects the market.
August Market Overview
Despite high mortgage rates, the market remains as competitive as ever thanks to strong demand coupled with tight inventory supply, due, in part, to those who purchased homes in recent years at record-low interest rates staying put. These and other factors form a perfect affordability crisis storm that continues to sideline many aspiring homeowners.
While home prices aren’t as high as the record prices of June 2022, data suggest that where home prices dip or climb this year remains heavily region-specific. For instance, in June 2023, prices grew in the Northeast but fell in the South and West.
August Home Maintenance Checklist
Deep Clean Carpets: Take advantage of the warm weather now, and give your carpets a good cleaning so they'll dry quicker. Keep your windows open, let the warm breeze flow through your home and freshen your carpets. Clean, fresh carpets are a great way to get ready for the next season!
Inspect Basement & Crawl Space for Moisture: It's not uncommon to have moisture in your basement, however, moisture in your basement can be problematic and very bad news. Leaking pipes behind your walls, slow drips sight unseen and water seeping in areas that aren't in plain view can lead to problems from structural damage to mold.
Inspect your Roof: Check your roof for integrity issues, loose shingles, damaged roof flashing, rust and other issues that could affect your roof.
Back-To-School Survival Guide
Can you believe it is almost time to start school again?! Going back to school can be a stressful time, not only for kids but for parents too.
To lighten the mood and make the transition smoother, here are some funny back to school survival advice for parents.
Stock up on wine – lots of it! You're going to need it for those nights when you're helping your kids with their homework and can't figure out how to solve a simple math problem.
Don't forget to set your alarm clock, because waking up to the sound of your children arguing over who gets to use the bathroom first is not a great start to the day.
Invest in noise-cancelling headphones. You'll thank us later when your kids are playing Fortnite at full volume and you're trying to get some work done.
Get ready to play referee. You'll be breaking up fights, mediating disagreements and listening to endless complaints about teachers and classmates.
Finally, don't forget to celebrate the small victories. Whether it's making it through the first week of school without any major meltdowns or successfully packing a healthy lunch, every little win deserves to be celebrated. So, cheers to surviving another school year!
Reminders:
Loudoun County begins on August 24th
Fairfax County begins on August 21st
Interior Design Trends Making an Impact
Arches and Alcoves
We love to see arched windows, shower screens, shelving, drinks cabinets, sideboards, doorways and mirrors. They pair well with more organic interiors with less sharp corners and hard lines. We have started seeing arches find their way into alcoves in bathrooms and kitchens, as well as arched doors.
The Modern Mudroom
It’s not what the mudroom used to be, in that it’s not a fully dedicated room in the home that takes up a large footprint. The modern way to do a mudroom is to create more of a spot inside the front door. There are so many easy ways to customize this space that acts as the ultimate destination to hide bags and shoes, hang coats, and designate a place for your keys.
We want to hear from you!
August is a great month to make the most of the summer season before it comes to an end. Whether you choose to go on a road trip, attend outdoor events, or simply relax, there are many ways to enjoy the warm weather and make lasting memories. How are you spending your last weeks of summer?
