Roadmap with Irina - December 2023

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Hi << Test First Name >>,

Take a look at the table below and compare the closed sales in November 2021 and this year. For the last 1.5 years, the rise in interest rates slowed down the market, resulting in the number of sales dropping by almost 50%, and it happened throughout the country. The median sale price for both single-family homes and condos in Santa Clara County bounced back and went a bit over the level of November 2021. The number of available homes for sale has continued to decrease for the last few months, which is very understandable in the high-interest rates environment.

As you probably heard, the Fed announced that they are planning to cut interest rates at least three times next year, which is a blessing and a curse for buyers: monthly payments will be more affordable, more buyers will come to the market, creating more competition and higher prices. The best strategy for buyers will be to buy now when the competition is lower and refinance later when the interest rates go down. I hope that the interest rates will go low enough to make current homeowners move to different homes (bigger or smaller depending on their needs), resulting in more homes on the market and more sales.

This is my last market update for this year. Let’s continue to watch the market next year, and if you are thinking of moving, let’s connect and see what is the best time for you to buy or sell

If you are thinking about buying or selling, let’s connect, talk about your options, run some numbers, and see if this is the right time for you. Call me, I am always here for you.

Questions? Comments? Contact me!

HOLIDAYS GIFT IDEAS

It’s December, and that means it’s crunch time for the gift-buying season. This year, a little thinking outside the box will go a long way toward putting a smile on loved ones’ faces. Whether you’re buying for friends or family, for now or later, you’ll be sure to find the perfect presents in this gift guide!

The comfort of home
The home may not be everyone’s favorite place, but it is where we all spend most of our time. Help make it environment happier for those you love with these ideas for creating enjoyable living spaces.

Kitchen
They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but if we’re being honest, that’s true for most everyone. So this year, send a friend or family member on a taste adventure with a sampler kit! Hot sauces are always a popular choice for the more daring, as are BBQ sauces and spices. For heartier selections, you can opt for meat-and-cheese baskets or even a vegan jerky sampler pack.

Home Gym
Help out the workout warriors in your life that a gift they can use to get fit in the comfort of their own home. Items as simple as exercise bands or hand weights are not only practical but also show that you support their effort to better themselves. Another great idea for these individuals? Buying a gift pass or a trial subscription for an at-home fitness program.

Living Areas
Nothing beats the gift of coziness, especially in frequently used rooms. Throw pillows, pillow covers, and throw blankets are affordable options that can add a touch of elegance and personality to anyone’s home. You can also customize these items with their favorite sports teams or animals.

Office
For the remote worker who spends a lot of time in their home office, it can start to get unorganized and feel stagnant. You can provide an answer with your holiday gifts! A daily calendar can start each day with a laugh, inspiration, or something to think about while stackable trays or a drawer organizer can help keep things tidy. Remember: no matter what you choose, make sure it suits the recipient’s space and needs.

What’s old is new
There’s something special about getting back to basics, whether that’s rediscovering your love of crafts or pulling out a board game. These gift ideas take that concept to heart and will bring joy to friends and family members alike. A word of advice, though: these products tend to sell out fast, so order as soon as possible!

Crafts
Some of the most popular hobbies during the twentieth century were quilting, crocheting, and knitting, and that sector has seen a spike in popularity in recent years. Help your artistic friends ride this resurgent wave of creativity by purchasing products and patterns for them at places like Lion Brand Yarn and Missouri Star Quilt Company, which have not only hundreds of choices but also tutorials for beginners.

Games
If you or your kids are used to playing fast-paced games, you might be surprised to find that slower-paced games can be just as enjoyable. For example, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, for Nintendo Switch, is a great gift option for the whole family. The record-breaking game provides endless fun at a casual island pace and adds frequent updates to keep gameplay fresh and exciting. Speaking of relaxing activities, board games are always a good choice—especially classic games that have gotten a new twist with fun “mashups” like Twister Scrabble.

Puzzles
There’s virtually something for everyone on your list with this challenging hobby, so it will be easy to find a puzzle that matches any particular taste, whether your recipient prefers tabletop puzzles (such as popular colorful gradient puzzles) or more challenging 3D versions. And don’t forget to help them preserve their work with a puzzle mat.
If your friends and family members enjoy working with words or numbers, crossword puzzle books might just be the perfect gift—and there are so many options, you can choose the perfect theme for each recipient.

Fun in the new year
The holiday season is a joyous time—but what about after it’s over? One of the best ways you can give back to friends and family this season is by looking forward with their gifts. These monthly subscription ideas will help the fun and excitement continue well into the new year and beyond!

Food and Drinks
True, these are a pair of life’s necessities, but they also offer an endless amount of variety and culinary exploration. If there are foodies in your circle, consider signing them up for Universal Yums, a subscription that delivers snacks from a different country to their doorstep every month. Know a wine lover? Purchase them a gift card for Winc, which delivers wines based on their personal tastes.

Beauty
Speaking of personalization, trying new beauty products to find suitable shades and textures can be exhausting, frustrating, and costly. What if you could purchase a membership for a customized monthly five-piece “glam bag” for a friend? IPSY offers just that, with bags of cosmetics for as little as thirteen dollars a month!

Books
Reading a good book takes you into a world of mystery and intrigue, so imagine how happy your literature-loving friends will be going on a new journey each month! With Book of the Month Club, your recipients can choose one or more from a selection of seven newly published books every month. You can have books sent for three months, six months, or a year.

Adventure
Everyone loves a good adventure, but experiencing one can be costly, timely, and require a lot of planning. So why not just have one at home? Two options to consider for friends and family: the Adventure Challenge and Escape the Crate. The former is a book full of scratch-off challenges that are specifically designed for friends, families, or couples; the latter is an easy means to turn your recipient’s home into an escape room.

These are just a few of many creative ways you can tailor your friends’ and family members’ interests into the perfect presents this season. They’ll love your thoughtfulness as much as the gifts themselves!

This article is a courtesy of American Lifestyle Magazine.

BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR

It is hard to believe that the year is almost over. How could it happen? The past three months were especially busy with all the activities we had. Let me recapture the most significant events.

Halloween's pumpkin decoration contest was fun not only for the participating kids and their parents but also for my neighbors who walked by my house every day and enjoyed seeing the pumpkins. I still have some of them on my porch and will keep them as long as possible. They put me in a great mood every time I go out or come home.

Then we had a great Thanksgiving Party, aka Pie Party. It was so nice to see and catch up with everyone who joined us! Last year, we found out that two of my clients were working in the same company and saw each other only through Zoom at the company's meetings, and they finally met at my pie party! It's good to know that people personally connect at my events. It encourages me to plan for the next party.

Every year there is a Christmas Fair in our church, and I always get assigned to help with food (not a bad place to hang out, right?). This year we were lucky with the weather and had a great turnout.

I was busy with my knitting too. With the help of a magic machine, I finished and donated 45 hats and a few more scarves to local shelters. I hope they will help someone to stay warm this winter.

Last week I spent 4 days on training that hopefully will make me a better professional and person. It was very intense, but I am glad that I dedicated this time to learning something new and hanging out with my colleagues. I truly believe that real estate made me a better person, so watch me improve in my craft as well.

And now we are in the full swing of the Holiday Season. We've been busy packing and delivering gifts to my friends and clients. I truly appreciate all of them and want to express it in the form of a gift. I am probably a selfish person, but it feels so good seeing them in person, exchanging news, plans, and ideas, and wishing each other all the best for the next year. I am happy to receive gifts, but I think I feel more excited about giving gifts. Unfortunately, I cannot visit everyone personally due to different schedules, but I will do my best to catch up with them later, even if it will be in the new year.

Among all other activities, I am busy shopping for gifts for my family. Every year I promise myself that I will do it earlier, and every year I push it back to the last minute. I also noticed that the older the kids get, the fewer gifts they want (and the more expensive they become). On one hand, it is easier for me to buy fewer gifts, but on the other hand, I miss the pile of gifts under the tree and the excitement when the kids open them. There is still time before the New Year, so I am sure I will find a way to make it fun and exciting as usual.

Next week we are going skiing in the Lake Tahoe area. It's a family tradition, and we go every year even if we know that there is not enough snow or there is a risk of getting stuck there (as it happened in 2021). It's the only time of the year when everyone is free from school, work, and classes, so I am looking forward to the trip and all the fun. I hope that you will have a wonderful time with your family during the holiday season. Stay healthy and let me know if you need anything.

Always yours,
Irina