This time of the year is often a little slower for me— for all of us in real estate. It’s the time to strengthen systems, catch up with people and breathe.

I am stretching myself with a violin recital— and the suggestion of a book: The inner Game of Tennis, A recommendation to take yourself on a vacation and my new hummus recipe that I can’t take credit for but will happily take all the compliments at book club.

Skyrocketing interest rates through most of 2022 put some much-needed pressure on the housing market after home prices hit record highs across the nation. However, since December, mortgage rates have been on a steady decline through the beginning of February. Even so, many economists remain mixed about whether home prices will continue to decelerate throughout 2023—or even drop at all.

Now that the holidays are over, it's time to get to that list we've all been putting off—our home maintenance checklist. Jeanne Huber from the Washington Post gives us 8 things we should be doing this January.

It’s the time for New Years Resolutions, mantras and turning over a new leaf. I am going to be sticking with the same old plan but working smarter at how I approach my time. I am loving this month two books about time and equity (and ultimately clarity in roles and delegation.) Fair Play and Free Time.. . An interesting article on parenting and real estate and finally the good and great Mary Oliver is back.

Holiday Edition! I am happy to share a couple things to delight you this month as you cozy up next to the fire.

November already? November seemed to have arrived like a hammer — at least weather-wise. We jumped straight out of the heat of summer to a reckoning of sorts! Welcome fall, winter and the PNW gray!

Scott’s Cheap Flights looks for mistaken airfare pricing or significant differences to median pricing. I love it because you can put in the parameters of either where you are interested in flying to– or what airport you generally fly out of.

Nap Ministry: A friend of mine recommended the Nap Ministry a couple weeks ago.

From the founder and creator of The Nap Ministry, Rest Is Resistance is a battle cry, a guidebook, a map for a movement, and a field guide for the weary and hopeful.

This book is rooted in spiritual energy and centered in Black liberation, womanism, somatics, and Afrofuturism. With captivating storytelling and practical advice, all delivered in Hersey’s lyrical voice and informed by her deep experience in theology, activism, and performance art, Rest Is Resistance is a call to action and manifesto for those who are sleep deprived, searching for justice, and longing to be liberated from the oppressive grip of Grind Culture.

Y’all, did you know that they are doing this on Mars? Let me know if you are up for a showing.

Here is a round up of some items I found utterly delightful this month.

1. Gallup Emotions Poll: Some records were meant to be broken…but not this one. Gallup released their 2022 Global Emotions Report this summer. Based on tens of thousands of interviews conducted in 122 countries, negative emotions have hit a new high across the globe. Data shows that the aggregate of stress, sadness, anger, worry, and physical pain people feel every day is higher than ever before in the history of Gallup’s tracking.

2. The Midnight Club SOUNDTRACK. So, I'll admit, I haven't actually watched this series, but I DID read Christopher Pike in the 90's and I DEFINITELY have core high school memories set to this soundtrack.

3. Proud Minnesotan over here.... but Lizzo!

Here are my top 3 favorite things this September!

The 12 Hour Walk

30 Walks on Bainbridge Island

Atlas of the Heart

Here are my top 3 favorite things this August!

The Bear on FX

Five Nights at Memorial

Joni Mitchell

The tax code provides for several real estate tax strategies for minimizing tax liabilities or generating refunds. Some of these concepts are well-established and time-tested, while others are relatively recent additions.

Here are my top 3 favorite things this July!

Watermelon Recipes

Economist Beach Reads

Changing Interest Rates

After the fastest rise in mortgage rates for any four-month period since 1981, hot markets such as Austin and Riverside, Calif., are suddenly slowing. Buyers who once had to make on-the-spot offers now have time to shop and even negotiate. And some sellers are doing something unthinkable just months ago: slashing prices.

More than 100 housing experts surveyed by Zillow generally agreed that housing prices won't face a big downturn. But a mild recession may be in play later this year or in 2023.

Here are my top 3 favorite things this June!

There is increasing speculation about the macro markets going on-- it's a topic that I find deeply interesting. There are a lot of great places to learn about what the effects the global economy, tech stocks and inflation are having on the housing market.

Bump Clause is one of those real estate terms that you may come across in a potential listing and think that it indicates a risk. Read more to learn more about them and how you may benefit as a buyer or seller.

Here are my top 3 favorite things this May!

Scott Morrison has a fascinating resume from the CEO of a high end denim brand, founder of Leo's Light Foundation and now the CEO/Founder of Radmor Golf apparel.

Meet the newest team member at Fitzpatrick & Co., Anne Reichard!