FINE NEST APRIL 2022 NEWSLETTER

4/20/2022

□ Spring Celebrations

It's outdoor gathering weather at last! March brought in some really cold weather, but all of the blooming flowers have been so refreshing to see after a snow stormy winter. As we settle into spring, make sure to check out all the unique places to catch this years bloomage across Northern Virginia and Maryland. Forget the cliché trip to see the cherry blossoms in DC, we're talking less crowded, unique spots to celebrate spring that are outside of the norm.

Fine Nest gladly provides the most up-to-date real estate information and local resources we hope are useful to you and your loved ones as we continue to navigate the real estate market.

The Latest News

April Market Metrics Report

Inventory, is that really you? What's the Catch?

Could it be? Is the market really showing more houses for sale? The numbers are in and inventory from condos to single family homes is creeping up! Buyers are finally able to choose from more than just a handful of places. It's more like a medium length grocery list of options now, but we'll take it! The catch? the Federal Reserve interest rates just surpassed 5% . According to The Wall Street Journal, the interest rates on houses hasn't been this high since 2011! We hope this increase in inventory continues, although we know with interest rates being this high, it's a bittersweet turn of events for buyers looking to increase their borrowing power.
Nevertheless, the market appears to be at an in-between phase. It's hard to predict exactly what direction the market is heading in. However, stated in a CNN article, signs of a housing bubble are possibly brewing, with the article mainly focusing on the exuberant increases in house prices causing an imbalance to the economic fundamentals of housing markets in general. Despite this possible housing bubble, the silver lining is that there are a lot more checks and balances in place today due to the aftermath of the 2008 housing crash. Experts predict that any near future housing corrections will likely avoid as drastic of a change as seen in the early 2000's.

For those of you who are already homeowners, an article from CoreLogic revealed that the average homeowner gained over $55K in home equity over the last year! This means that for anyone looking to upsize or upgrade into a new home, the cards might be lining up for you to sell your home for a profit and use those funds to buy a new home. With inventory increasing across NOVA and MD, sellers may already be looking to cash in on their investments. If you need help running the numbers, consider reaching out to our team of real estate experts for a FREE consultation and home valuation! Informational link HERE

House passes the "Secure Act 2.0"

For individuals planning for retirement, the house just passed the "Secure Act 2.0" bill that could impact everyone's future retirement plans. According to a CNBC article, everything from 401K contributions to student loan debt policies would be affected should this bill pass in congress. Why is this relevant to real estate? It's simple, retirement planning affects what kind of housing an individual can budget for in the present and in the future. For a more in depth explanation on what this bill means for your retirement plans, click the link HERE.

Et Tu Rental Market?

Rising rental prices are all the talk these days in a market where buying is hard enough. Long time renters have been struggling to find affordable housing with many seeing large rental increases and facing the prospect of moving into farther, less expensive, areas. For an in depth look into the reasons for the most recent rental price hike, check out this 60 Minute mini segment YouTube video on this exact issue.

Springtime bloomage you have to see to believe

If you think a field of wildflowers is something you only see in movies, well we've got news for you. Virginia and Maryland are full of landscapes that burst with color during the springtime. So get your eyes ready to see nature at its finest.

Never Ending Tulip Field - Nokesville, VA

Enjoy all the colors of spring this month at Burnside Farms' Festival of Spring!

A Million Blooms

Take a day trip to Richmond's Lewis Center Botanical Garden to witness everything from budding daffodils to roses. You may even spot some beautiful butterflies!
Ticket Information HERE

Riverbend Park - Great Falls, Virginia

Bask in the foliage of the Virginia Bluebells as they bloom all around the Riverbend Park trails

Maryland Public Gardens

Check out this list of public gardens across Maryland that are just perfect for a weekend picnic

Can't get your lawn grass to grow?

It's a common problem to see grass patches in yards. Sometimes it's just a matter of taking over a poorly maintained lawn from a previous owner or your lawn is just having a hard time recovering from winter chills. Rather than loading on the top soil and scattering grass seed, try these alternative lawn coverage plants that are both fast growing and a colorful addition to anyone's yard.

Creeping Jenny

With its beautiful bright green leaves, Creeping Jenny can really help your lawn pop while maintaining an elegant look. Blooming yellow flowers during the spring, this plant is great to use for edges or as filler for a more cohesive garden look.

Creeping Myrtle

Creeping Myrtle is great for shaded areas and adds depth with its dark green leaves. Blooming purple flowers in the spring, your yard will look like a fairytale oasis!

Red or Purple Creeping Thyme

Great for filling in unsightly gaps between stepping stones, creeping thyme can be found in red or purple shades and is great for replacing pesky weeds that love to sprout in those inconvenient spots.

Clovers

Never underestimate the power of clovers. They are resilient plants and are a great alternative to grass seed if you're hoping to maintain lawn health and color consistency, while still being able play catch in the yard.

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