Winter-Ready: December Home Tips & Holiday Highlights
As we wrap up December, I wanted to share some winter wisdom that's been on my mind. As both a realtor and a mom in our community, I'm seeing this season from all angles. The recent cold snap has turned my attention to those sneaky drafts we all feel by our windows - you know, the ones that suddenly become super obvious when temperatures drop! I've been doing my own home checks lately, especially after learning that a shocking 30% of home heating fires stem from unmaintained chimneys (yes, I'm that person who gets concerned about safety stats!).
Wow, December has flown by and we are all deep in the holiday season.
Since it finally got cold, this is a great opportunity to walk around your home and check for drafts— they become very obvious in colder weather. If you feel an area that is very drafty, try and put some curtains over it if you can, or a window insert until you can replace the window. Trust me, it will help.
Also, please clean those chimneys before lighting them. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 30% of home heating fires are caused due to dirty equipment, primarily in chimneys. This is due to creosote buildup, which wouldn’t be there if you took the time to get it cleaned. Protect the investment and your family.
If you know me you know I love a good gift giving season… it is the perfect time to shop local! If you follow me on socials, you know I have been highlighting some of my faves with some great friends. If you need any recommends, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Real Estate news… I have been reviewing all of our annual reports, and the biggest trend I am seeing is that inventory is still very low in some places, and it is drove median prices up in those areas. I can’t wait to do an email just on that… stay tuned (it will be in Jan).
To my fellow Moms, or those around kiddos this holiday- the cold weather is making spirits a little moody (at least in my house)… If you want a break from the baking and gingerbread making, I absolutely love this tree craft. It is so easy, I can even confidently do it.
Jess Watts
As we shift seasons, we are starting to see the real estate market pickup again after a quiet August. I will get straight to the point- it is still a sellers market despite what the national news is saying. Westchester and Fairfield counties are still seeing inventory fly- especially at purchases under 1.2M.
I get this question all the time from new clients: "Jess, I'm moving to Westchester, but I'm worried about finding my people. How do I build community here?" My answer is always the same: You have to show up. Here's the beautiful thing about Westchester – this county practically rolls out the red carpet for connection.
Westchester County has one of the most active, welcoming communities in the Northeast. This isn't marketing speak or real estate hyperbole—it's a reality that thousands of families experience daily across towns from Bedford to White Plains, Scarsdale to Mount Kisco.
You know those picture-perfect neighborhoods you saw