HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I
hope this season’s familiar rituals bring you comfort, especially when
compared to the chaos of daily life. I hope you connect with family and
friends you’ve missed the rest of the year. I hope you and your family
create even more happy memories. See you next year!
May this holiday season be full of memorable warmth and cheer for you and your family. Best wishes, Mardin
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WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE MOVE TO THE TROPICS?
Now that it's cold outside, you might be tempted to spend more time in
front of your TV, watching what I call the "tropical house hunter"
genre. There's nothing like cold weather to make you fantasize about
moving to Costa Rica or the Mediterranean. Makes you wonder why we
all don't just pack up and go? Turns out, there are a lot of
reasons:
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Family. We don't want to move from parents, adult kids, or grandkids.
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Work. Despite
increased remote work opportunities, most of us don't have 100% remote
jobs. A move can be expensive, especially without work.
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Weather. Some people like seasons more than perpetual summer.
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Friends. We don't want to lose those connections.
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Culture. Many people are nervous about moving to an unfamiliar country.
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Healthy care. Especially for retirees, this is an important consideration.
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Never thought about it. It just never crossed our mind.
What about you. Would you move to the tropics?
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What is the hottest chili pepper in the world?
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Win a $5 Coffee Card!
Send your answer to the trivia question for a chance to win. Last month's Q&A: What can you see in November that you can't see in any other month of the year? The letter V. Congratulations to last month's winner!
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WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH REAL ESTATE IN 2022?
Remember
how 2020 felt like being muffled inside a cotton candy ball? By
comparison, 2021 has felt like a toboggan ride down a bobsled
track. It's clear by now that 'normal' isn't what it used to be in
the real estate market. What can we expect from 2022?
- Higher prices are probably going to be around for a while, since there are still more buyers than homes for sale.
- However,
some analysts also say that we've overbuilt in response, and that when
interest rates rise, along with inflation, we might see buyer demand
drop. So as usual, no one really knows for sure. Remember, all real estate is local, so if you're making plans, call me for specific local market conditions.
- Many
people work from home now, all or partly, so we'll continue to
experiment with locations. This will cause small towns from Yarmouth,
Nova Scotia, to Joshua Tree, California, to continue growing, at least
in the short term.
- Younger
workers will still need to live with parents more often, leading to
more multi-generational housing and granny flat building.
If you'd like to move in 2022, call for a private consultation. There's no obligation, just good information. Mardin, (408) 210-2073 info@amirirealty.com
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Hummus Toast 4 Ways
SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR YOUR HOLIDAY MUNCHIES
With so much holiday "junk" food flying around during December, I
thought you'd appreciate having a yummy, inexpensive, healthy
option! See this post from feelgoodfoodie for recipes.
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Now You Know...
XMAS - A REASON FOR THE ABBREVIATION
Have you ever seen Christmas abbreviated as Xmas? Where did that come from?
Xmas is not simply a throw-away shortening of Christmas. The abbreviation has been in use for centuries, since the mid-1500s.
- The derivation is Greek. X is the Greek letter “chi,” the initial letter in the word Χριστός.
- Χριστός translates as “Christ.”
- X as a representation (rather than abbreviation) of the word “Christ” is known as a Christogram.
- In the same vein, the terms Xpian and Xtian have been used in place of the word “Christian.”
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REMODEL YOUR BATH THIS WINTER FOR UNDER $300
A
complete bathroom remodel can cost around $10,000 or more. But you can
do a lot for $250-$300. Add a new light fixture ($120) and a new faucet
($85). Refresh the grout ($15 plus sweat equity). Paint ($25). Add a new
shower curtain and bath rug ($50). Total: $295. If you also need to
replace the sink and vanity, you'll run into considerably more cost. Can
you get by with replacing the counter and sink only?
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Planning to Buy or Sell in 2022?
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