I hope you had a fabulous 2022 Holiday Season. I loved every moment shared with family and friends. Thanksgiving has to be my favorite holiday! We host at our house and we start by prepping the day before with pie baking. My daughter and nieces come over to bake, gossip, and watch movies. On Thanksgiving Day we play kickball in the park with all the relatives and then head home for the big turkey dinner. Eighteen family members graced the table this year, and the food was amazing!! We finish the holiday with our traditional Black Friday shopping trip. All the girls wake before dawn, go to Starbucks, and then wait for Target to open. I get all my nieces and my daughter the perfect gift, because they point it out, try it on, and say, “Yep, that’s the one.” It was a tradition started several decades ago by my mom, and has carried on with all her progeny even in her absence .
The best part of Christmas is that my kids come home and stay for a few days. We have places to be and people to see, but we carve out one night for just the six of us. This year we joined a virtual cooking class titled “Chinese Take Out.” We had Luke and Brandon manning the woks, searing fresh vegetables while the rest of us mixed sauces and steamed rice in our matching “Wok The Fuk” aprons. After dinner, we exchanged gifts and ate chocolate bread pudding. Truly a special night!
New Year’s Eve and Day were quiet for Marc and me. Time was spent reading on the couch and watching the NY Giants beat the Colts and secure a place in the playoffs! Now it’s time to get ready for 2023!
People continually ask me about the real estate market, and interest rates, and what will happen next. I’ve been watching our Orange County stats closely and am optimistic. We have about 2 months of inventory, and on average, houses are active for just over a month before going under contract. The crazy time of limited inventory and huge demand is coming to a close. More houses are available for sale, giving buyers more choice and a little more time to decide. The interest rate, although not outlandish, is higher than our recent 2-3% and is beginning to stabilize. It has, unfortunately, bumped some buyers out of the possibility of homeownership at this time. Those that are still able to shop will find a more equitable transaction. It’s not the “Seller’s Market” it was, but it’s not quite a “Buyer’s Market” either. It’s turning into a calmer, more stable, and perhaps a more fair experience.
My brothers and I are right in the middle of it. After a month and a half, our project house has had a couple of offers, and we hope to be under contract soon. My focus is turning to those I can help with their own real estate needs. If you are thinking that now is the time to venture into the market, I’d love to be a part of the journey. Come visit me over at FirstHomeEd.com and let’s get started!
So many good things to come in 2023,
Diana Cohen
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