Food, Family & Fur
​​​​​​​(with a touch of Real Estate)
Happy End of February! You made it
I know it's a short month - but between Valentine's Day school parties, Winter Break, and Ava learning to ski AND being introduced to Super Mario Kart - it felt like a very, very full 4 weeks. But like, full in a good way - like, my heart is full.
Before we dive into the good stuff (Food, Family & Fur . . .even a favorite pancake recipe!) I want to share some news about the market.
Long story short: It's weird. As of February 24th, Wells Fargo stated that interest rates for a 30-Year Jumbo fixed rate loan are at 5.625% - up from 5% a month ago.
While interest rates are up, however, the market is kind of all over the place. Homes that are well staged and move in ready (and properly priced) are going into contract fast. Sometimes even within a day or two of hitting the market - which is reminiscent of 2021! Meanwhile, other homes are on the market for months before selling.
Although higher interest rates are no fun, buyers still have more negotiating power than a year ago. I've recently had offers accepted where the buyers were requesting seller credits at closing to pay down interest rates, or perform necessary repairs.
This is a great way for first time home buyers to essentially finance some of the work they want to do on the house, or even lower their interest rates!
This is a great way for first time home buyers to essentially finance some of the work they want to do on the house, or even lower their interest rates!
Food!
(My New Favorite Pancake Recipe)
If you've known me long enough, then you know that I used to host a St. Paddy's Day Parade Pancake Breakfast for sometimes well over a hundred people.
My old pancake recipe was an evolution of me trying to recreate my wife's favorite pancakes form New York. I succeeded - but it was a COMPLICATED recipe.
Recently, I discovered a new recipe that provides the same super tasty and fluffy pancakes, with half the fuss. Although it hurts my pride to find such a simple replacement, I am also quite happy to have a much quicker, and easier version :)
Family!
We were fortunate to be able to take a trip to Sun Valley, Idaho over winter break! Ava rode the chairlift and skied her first full run by herself!
Amanda also took to the slopes for the first time in 13 years and did really well learning to carve her turns.
As for myself - after 30 years of snowboarding (fun fact: I used to be a PSIA Certified Snowboard Instructor!), I went back to skiing. . . and it felt like coming home.
I started skiing when I was 5, was a ski instructor, and raced competitively in high school . . . but after 30 years - here is me riding the magic carpet :)
Fur!
Whiskey & Soba had an exciting February too! Soba spent 7 amazing days doing a board & train with Aby at Golden State Canine, and Whiskey basically had a spa experience being pampered for a week by my father-in-law.
Soba is super excited with the stuff she has been learning and will be posting soon to her Instagram account.
