FINE NEST NOVEMBER 2021 NEWSLETTER

11/10/2021

? It's a wonderful time to be thankful

Last month, Fine Nest held its first in-person client appreciation event since the beginning of the pandemic! It was a thrill seeing and catching up with everyone over apple cider, snacks, and the fun Cox Farms attractions. Thank you to everyone who came out and an extra thank you to everyone who helped put this event together! We can't wait for the next one!

? Fine Nest Wishes Everyone a Gobbling Good Time this Thanksgiving Holiday!! ?

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 this unusual time.

The Latest News

November Market Metrics Report

Winter is Coming

A cold and expensive winter is on its way. The global gas and energy shortage has everyone clutching their wallets. According to the Wall Street Journal, gas fueled homes are projected to see a 30% or more increase in gas bills this winter. However, It might not be as bad for Virginia and Maryland residents. In a recent USA Today article, federal forecasters announced another la Niña climate pattern for the second year in a row. Just like last winter, La Niña climate patters bring milder and dryer winters to the US southeast region. While this does spell better news for the NOVA and MD area, even with projected warmer than normal temperatures, homeowners can still anticipate up to a 22% higher energy bill than usual.

This Months Market Report and the 2022 Market Forecast

The Fall/Winter Real Estate market has made itself comfortable and market numbers continue to reflect that. Sale prices remain uninterrupted in their upward trajectory while the number of new, sold and pending properties are steadily dropping in almost every county. The good news is that this kind of slowdown is normal. With the holidays, colder weather, and end of year coming around, the incentive to buy or list a home isn't top priority for many.
Looking ahead, the 2022 real estate forecast has started to come into view. According to a CNBC article, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has forecasted that the 30-year, fixed mortgage interest rates are projected to go up to 4% by the end of 2022. Zillow has also forecasted a slow down in home appreciation from the 17.7% increase seen in 2021 down to 11.7% in 2022. However, other financial institutions like Freddie Mac and Corelogic are only predicting a 2-5.3% increase in home values. Stated by CBS, Virginia is also anticipated to see employment rates reach pre-pandemic levels with a slow down in housing demand and increase in inventory. What to keep an eye out for? It's hard to say. Experts are not anticipating the market to be anywhere near as hot as it was in 2020-2021. As we've mentioned in previous newsletters, home values are probably not budging anytime soon, but all else is fair game. With the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, home inventory shortages and changes in home affordability, we'll just have to wait and see how the market evolves into the next year.

Plant Based Thanksgiving

With more and more households hosting vegan or vegetarian guests at thanksgiving, we thought it might be helpful to include some delicious meat free alternative recipes everyone can enjoy!

Beth Le Manach's Vegan/Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipe Playlist

Some of you may remember in last years newsletter where we featured Beth's thanksgiving day dinner game plan. This year, check out her vegan/vegetarian friendly thanksgiving dishes that are easy to incorporate into any menu

Epic Thanksgiving in Just 3 Hours

If you're looking for a vegan 5 course thanksgiving meal, professional chef, Nisha, has you covered. Watch her take on this challenge in just 3 hours and get some chuckles from her minor kitchen mishaps

4 EASY Vegan Thanksgiving Day Recipes

Looking for something fast and delicious? The Bosh brothers got your back with 4 easy vegan meals to add to your thanksgiving day feast

Light Festivals Near You

Light festivals are back all across the area. Soak up the holiday spirit by attending any of these light shows!

Meadowlark's Winter Walk of Lights

Vienna, VA
November 11 - January 2
Buy Tickets HERE

Baltimore Zoo Lights

Baltimore, MD
November 19 - January 2
Buy Tickets HERE

Ice & Lights

Alexandria, VA
November 19 - January 2
Buy Tickets HERE

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival

Gaithersburg, MD
November 26 - December 31
Buy Tickets HERE

Don't see a location near you? See if any of these other VA or MD light festivals are closer.

New Plastic Bag Tax, Store Product Limits & More

If you've been noticing certain products not returning to shelves, store hour changes, purchase limits, or whispers of a plastic bag tax, you're not imagining things. Supply chains have been struggling to keep shelves filled since the COVID-19 pandemic started, but that's not the only reason why some stores are changing their ways. According to Northern Virginia Magazine, supply delays and labor shortages have left stores no other choice than to adjust their hours and enforce purchase limits. Stores are also hoping to prevent customers from hoarding products to help all locals find and purchase those hard-to-get items. These changes coupled with a rising focus on reducing carbon emissions has led to many counties across NOVA agreeing to impose a 5-cent plastic bag tax beginning January 1, 2022. With this bag tax, lawmakers hope to encourage citizens to think more sustainably and start bringing their own reusable bags when shopping.

5K Turkey Trots

Looking to stave off those Thanksgiving calories while supporting a cause? November is full of fun Turkey Trots for anyone looking for a fun way to enjoy the holiday.

Arlington Turkey Trot

November 23, 24 & 25
Register HERE

Fairfax Turkey Trot

November 25
Register HERE

Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K

November 25
Multiple MD Locations
Find a city near you & Register HERE

Trot For Hunger

Washington, DC
In-Person & Virtual Racing
Register HERE

A Historically Accurate Pumpkin Cheesecake

If you love pumpkin pie but want to shake things up this Thanksgiving, look no further than this 450 year old NO CRUST pumpkin cheesecake. Join Max Miller on his Tasting History YouTube channel as he makes this deliciously decedent pie while diving into its historical roots. Spoiler alert! Max said its the best thing he's ever made on his channel!