Welcome back to The Update, a monthly newsletter discussing real estate related topics, and fun things happening in the community! It’s November which means, it’s Turkey Time!
MARKET UPDATE
Starting off, we have our monthly update on the market. Take a look to check out the stats for single family homes for Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee Counties!
So, what’s going on? Great question!
With holidays around the corner, it’s normal to see a slow down in homes listed; which is why compared to last month, we’re seeing less homes available.
However, what’s interesting is looking at the number of homes with accepted offers! Even though the number has decreased by about 20 homes give or take (not including Milwaukee County, which jumped to over 1,000 homes with accepted offers!) We’re still seeing strong numbers. So while the market is slowing down a little bit, (October showed average days on market overall going up between 4-7 days depending on county) it’s still a sellers market. A home that’s priced to sell may only get a few offers, instead of 10+ offers.
Instead of people scrambling to get something because they’re working from home like last year, now it’s a case of record low interest rates giving people who may not have considered home ownership a chance, along with the Millennial generation entering (on the youngest) their mid twenties, and at the oldest, their mid thirties; i.e., people who are starting to have the means to buy. And since most of the buyers this year saw what happened last year, they want in on getting a house.
For buyers, this is your time! You may not close before Christmas, however usually there’s less people looking; no one wants to deal with moving during the holidays, or wade through ankle deep snow when it’s 10 degrees out to go see a house. But if you’re determined, now may be your chance. However, this is still a sellers market! Talk with your agent on creating a competitive offer, (or if you don’t have an agent, call me!) on what that might look like for you. You always want to put your best foot forward.
For sellers, this means you need to be a little more strategic in pricing your home, especially if you are in a situation where you have to move. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a good market, but a home that’s overpriced is going to sit. And when it sits long enough (which could be as little as 1-2 weeks) buyers may begin to inquire ‘well, what’s wrong with it?’ In the winter months when traffic is slower, it is crucial to price correctly to ensure you’re pulling in as many buyers as possible. It’s not all bad though! I’ve seen home priced well get multiple offers and be under contract in under 48 hours. Be aware of the seasonal slowdown, and make sure your home is priced to sell!
Fall To-Do Checklist!
It’s mid-November, which means that winter is right around the corner. In the swirl of the holidays approaching it’s understandable that some things will fall to the wayside. Here’s a checklist of some things to square away before Old Man Winter arrives!
10 Turkey Day Tips & Tricks to Make this thanksgiving stress free
Ah yes, Thanksgiving. The day dedicated to food, family, and stretchy pants. Even though the day is merry, cooking and preparing it can be a hassle if you’re not prepared! Here’s 10 tips to make turkey day a bit easier on you and make an easy Thanksgiving something to be thankful for.
1. Make (some) of the food ahead of time.
Foods like deviled eggs, and some desserts (if not being served hot) can easily be made the night before! Instead of trying to cook it all in one day, break it up if you can. You could also prep other things like cutting up veggies, or making things like herb butter ahead of time.
2. Put your turkey in the fridge a few days beforehand (or longer) to thaw.
Usually on the packaging it’ll tell you how many days to put the turkey in the fridge to thaw; but read it and do it! There’s nothing worse than trying to thaw your bird on Thanksgiving day and cook it (along with everything else you’re cooking.) Speaking of cooking..
3. Plan your meal.
About 2 weeks before (so about now,) plan your Thanksgiving meal. Turkey, (duh) but what else? Do you have guests coming that are bringing something? Plan out what you’ll be eating, so you’re not stuck in the grocery store the week before (or worse, the day before) trying to get everything you need and then forgetting it. While you’re at it..
4. Take inventory!
Of course, not everyone has a spare turkey in their fridge. But what do you have? What on your menu do you need? What are you down to your last of (looking at you, can of cranberries) that you should probably buy 2 of anyways so you’re replenishing your pantry? Take a look in your freezer, fridge and pantry and figure out what do you have, what do you need, and what will you need to buy 2 of to replenish what you use? An easy way that I do this so I’m not standing with my fridge open is to take pictures of everything. Fridge cavity, the doors, the freezer, etc., This way I can sit in my chair and look at my pictures and determine for myself. Then write your list for the store!
5. and…Expect to make two trips.
I like to consider myself someone who plans well when they go grocery shopping, so I’m not stuck making extra trips. But on big holidays, something will get forgotten. Maybe it’s the can of evaporated milk you SWORE you had, but realized the night before that, oh no, it’s expired. You forgot seasonings, and don’t have any dried ones in your spice rack! Whatever it is, expect to make your big trip in advance (maybe a week or so before hand) and then one for the night before when something gets forgotten. (and make a list for that too, so you really have it all.)
6. Give some of your ideas a run through first.
So you’ve never deep fried a turkey ever, and you want to do it this year to make Thanksgiving extra tasty? Want to try that experimental recipe for stuffing, or try something new all together? Do a trial run first! This way any hiccups you may encounter the first time around you’ll be aware of for Thanksgiving itself! (also, be careful with deep frying turkeys please. So many fires start on Thanksgiving from improperly frying turkeys!)
7. Use a cooler for your drinks.
This seems like a super duper small thing no one would think of. But when you’ve got company coming, and your fridge is teeming with food that you’ve prepped (you smart cookie!) there’s no room for your sodas/waters/beers/other beverages to cool for your guests! If you have an extra fridge (in the basement or garage) store drinks there, or even just get a cooler. This way drinks stay nice and cold, and easy for your guests to access (which means no one coming into the kitchen and getting in your way while you’re trying to cook) and saves space! Speaking of saving space…
8. Use things like an Instant Pot or Crock Pot to keep some of your food warm!
Since you’re cooking in the morning, you want to get as much done as you can, but don’t want food to get cold. Things like instant pots or crock pots all have “keep warm” settings on them. So make your mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and when it’s done? Throw it in your warming appliance of choice to keep the food nice and hot for when your guests arrive! (wanna be extra on top of it? If you’re using a crock pot, put down a crock pot liner for easy clean up!)
9. Take out your trash the night and do (and unload) dishes the night before.
Of course, you’ll do dishes as you clean on Thanksgiving. But give yourself a clean slate by taking out the trash and doing and putting away the dishes the night before. That way instead of cooking, cleaning what you’re cooking with, and THEN doing the dishes from the night before you’ll just be cleaning up as you go and cleaning up from dinner.
10. Set your table the day of (or even the night before!)
It’s such a little thing. But there is nothing worse than to have everyone over, food ready and hot only to realize…you still need to set the table. Set your table in the morning so you don’t have to fiddle with it later.
Now, go forth and go cook an awesome Thanksgiving dinner!
If you’ve made it all the way to the end, Thank You so much for reading this month’s edition of The Update, and I’ll see you in December!
Very Truly Yours,
Shanna