The Journey Home - September 2023 Newsletter

Greetings! Well, guess what y’all? Summer is coming to an official end. It’s been a really hot summer so, I imagine many are glad for the coming relief from the summer weather. Others of us are sad to see the summer go as it’s time to get back into a regimen that is not as much fun as escaping to the beach. Students are going back to school, folks at the office are sharing vacation stories, and businesses are checking out predictions for the next fiscal quarter. September is a great month - it’s the prelude to one of my favorite seasons where it promises to be have a lot going on. The weather plays a tug-of-war between hot temperatures and easy harvest moons before finally giving way to a comfortable season.

I love venturing to out of the way places to see the stunningly vibrant, warm tones of the autumn foliage. A delicious spectacle for the eyes! From an astrological perspective, the autumn equinox strikes the perfect balance between the seasons. For me, it’s kind of like. . .like getting ready for bed. Like when I reflect on the day and calm my mind before I turn in for the evening. The slumber of winter is not far behind. The festivals, the weather, the colors - enjoy the autumn splendors!

 Average 30-year fixed mortgage rate - 7.18%

 Average 15-year fixed mortgage rate - 6.55%

Source: www.freddiemac.com

 Central Virginia Median Home Price - $407,500

Source: www.virginiarealtors.org

Market Trends

There are a lot of trends shifting the housing market for the Q3 fiscal period. Mortgage interest rates have soared past 7%, jobless claims have increased, and as a result, the rental market has slowed significantly. These are just some of the factors to consider, as they illustrate a decline in consumer confidence where many do not feel secure with the current state of the U.S. economy. Another trend worth noting is the trend of many federal agencies developing plans to transition federal employees back to in-person work by way of a soft directive from President Biden in his March 2023 State of the Union address. This may set the stage for other employers to follow suit and while full telework options may diminish, hybrid schedules may be a more appealing option. What does this mean for the real estate industry? Well, this will mean an increase in the demand for commercial real estate transactions and people moving back or closer to work. This may release some inventory in some places and that’s good for potential buyers. Falling prices will help, too. Let’s see what Q3 brings!

Real Estate financing

Last month, I discussed the loan process through underwriting where the mortgage loan application is approved or denied. Once the loan reaches final approval, the borrower is cleared to close immediately. At this point, there is nothing more to provide and a closing date may be scheduled by the lender to complete the transaction. Closing is the final stage in the buying process. At closing, the buyer and everyone involved in the loan transaction will gather to go over and sign all of the documents associated with the mortgage loan. The buyer is provided with all documents associated with the loan, and funds from escrow and other associated fees will be transferred. Finally, the deed of the property is updated and transferred from the name of the seller into the name of the buyer. The buyer now receives full access and rights to the property and the transaction is complete.

Homes of the Future

A great innovation that preserves style and design yet, aligns with net-zero energy use is called the LumenHaus. This architectural marvel was designed by Virginia Tech University as part of the 2009 Solar Decathlon, a collegiate competition which focuses on revolutionizing a clean energy workforce to sustain efforts of climate change. This home uses automated systems that adjusts solar energy use based on the changes in the climate. Another awesome feature about this home is that it generates more energy than it uses. Finally, it would not be a marvel without the sleek contemporary design. At an area of about 600 square feet, it is a modest livable space that integrates technology with a stylish blueprint. The LumanHaus is currently situated on the campus of Virginia Tech and is used as a teaching and research source. An awesome award winning creation!

Technology for the Home

Stanford University released a report back in 2020 highlighting a disease-detecting technology in what they call a Precision Health Toilet system. Albeit, the concept sounds a bit odd however, the way this technology works is that it uses various indicators to detect a range of diseases, such as colorectal cancer. The mechanism compiles the data it collects from the waste samples and houses it in a cloud-based system until it is accessed. Those individuals who may be genetically predisposed to certain health conditions may find it beneficial as an added measure to keep abreast of health issues. Smart toilets can cost in the thousands without the health tracking technology. It is predicted the smart toilet industry will manifest approximately $7 billion in sales by 2027, contributing significantly to reducing the more than $3.8 trillion in annual health care spending. Of course, nothing currently compares to expert care however, pairing it with this technology will help people take better initiative with their health goals. Amazing! KimberlyKyle.UnitedRealEstateRVA.com

Photos Courtesy of insider.fitt.co

September 8

Upcoming events

September 9

Bridge End of Summer Happy Hour - The Bridge

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm - Main Street Steak House 1112 E. Main St. in Richmond, VA

www.thembl.org

2023 New Kent County Virginia Derby - Rosie’s Gaming & Colonial Downs

12:00 pm - Colonial Downs - 10515 Colonial Downs Parkway in New Kent, VA

www.rosiesgaming.com

September 20

Dominion Energy Jazz Café - Counterpoint ft. Big Patt - Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

September 22

State Fair of Virginia

10:00 am 9:00 pm - The Meadow Event Park - 13191 Dawn Boulevard in Doswell, VA

www.statefairva.org

September 30

2023 Annual Women’s Conference: Harness Your Power! - Senator Mark Warner

8:00 am - 2:30 pm - Old Dominion University - 5115 Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk, VA

www.warner.senate.gov

6:00 - 7:30 pm - Cochran Atrium - 200 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard in Richmond, VA www.vmfa.museum KimberlyKyle.UnitedRealEstateRVA.com

DIY & Decorating - Front Porch Appeal

The colors of autumn come in such a beautiful array, most any way you arrange them, you simply can’t go wrong. A lot of folks like to place mums around the entrance of their home, accenting them with other items like pumpkins and woven baskets. Take a few moments to envision how your front porch should look to capture the most appealing display. Because autumn tones tend to blend well from one end of the spectrum to the other, be careful with overindulging in one particular item. Just as the leaves on the trees transition their colors from one color to another, it’s a good idea to arrange your porch items similarly. If you like variety, try to capture a look with different hues. Monochromatic schemes are nice, too. Sometimes the area around the one color are accented well by the things you don’t have to add. Finally, remember to balance. Good balance gives a perfect color scheme a warm, crisp radiance that cheers “ Welcome Autumn!”

Easy Edibles - Farfalle Pasta

For a light fare, this pasta dish is quick and scrumptious!

Be creative in substituting or adding ingredients!

You will need:

 Fresh mushrooms

 Fresh spinach

 Fresh red peppers

 ½ cup wild onions

 2 cups farfalle (bowtie) pasta

 4 cloves of garlic, cut in quarters or minced

 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning

 ½ cup sour cream

 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

 1 tablespoon of butter

1. In a large saucepan, add water, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a teaspoon of salt and bring to a boil.

2. Add the pasta and cook until tender; drain and keep covered.

3. In a large skillet, add butter, garlic, and mushrooms and sautée until golden brown.

4. Add the spinach, red peppers, and wild onions to the mix; add the Old Bay seasoning and mix well.

5. Fold in the sour cream and mix until well blended and vegetables start to soften. Do not drain.

6. Add the grated parmesan until mostly melted then add the pasta.

7. Mix until the cheese turns into a sauce and thickens, covering the pasta and vegetables.

8. Serve topped with more grated parmesan cheese, if desired and enjoy the deliciousness!

© 2023 Kimberly J. Kyle

Miko the Phoenix